STEVEN GERRARD will today become the quickest Rangers manager to reach 150 matches in charge as his side take on Ross County at Ibrox.
So much has changed in so many senses since his first match on a sultry Govan night on 12 July 2018, where his side faced Shkupi in the first qualifying round of the Europa League.
There is no doubt there has been a huge amount of improvement across the club since then – but for Gerrard, its an anniversary that will largely pass him by, with his full focus on the challenge of the Staggies.
Speaking at this yesterday's press conference, he explained: “I was told yesterday or the day before it was the 150th game. It’s not something I’ve given too much focus to as it is very much not about me – it is about the team and the group and getting results.
“But I am really proud to be sitting here and have been the manager for 149 games. It is a journey I have enjoyed immensely – I am certainly in a better place from an individual point of view from what I have learned and the experience so far.
“I want to improve, from my point of view and I want to continue to push myself in all the areas to become a better manager.
“I am really proud of the efforts the players have given me so far, and my support staff have done an excellent job supporting me in that area.
“I hope there are many more to come. It is a fantastic number in such a short space of time as it has almost been like three seasons in two-and-a-half years.
“It has been really intense but an enjoyable journey at the same time. I am looking forward very much to the future and pushing towards us becoming a successful group – that is the challenge for me and everyone connected with the club right now.
“It hasn’t changed since day one. We all know whether you’re a player, a coach or anyone who is representing this club, when you sign up and you become part of Rangers and the DNA here, you are always pushing towards success as quick as you can.
“That will never change. That was the remit on day one and that is what we will continue to push for.
“It is going to be tough, it is going to be a challenge, but it is one we are very much looking forward to.
“I’m not soft and have been around the job a long time. I knew walking into this job it wasn’t going to be an overnight change.
“It wasn’t going to take days or months – it was going to be a process. I have been reluctant to use certain words or mention any targets if you like.
“I sat down with the Chairman at the time, Dave King, Stewart Robertson and the Board, and I was well aware of what was expected of me.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be an overnight change and it was going to take time and we needed a certain amount of windows to improve, grow and get better.
“That hasn’t surprised me and that has played out exactly how I thought. Having said that, we need to just remain on our targets and what we need to achieve as a group.”