STEVEN GERRARD has shared his pride as his squad lifted the Scottish Premiership title this afternoon.
A 4-0 victory over Aberdeen at Ibrox saw the Champions complete an unbeaten season, while again writing their name in the history books by tallying up 102 points over the course of the campaign.
Speaking to RangersTV at full-time, he said: “I am very proud of the players, they have been absolutely sensational from the first day of pre-season.
“They seemed to come back with a different mentality and a different focus and I am delighted for everyone connected with the club. This club has been to hell and back and we have managed to get them back on top but now it is important that we build on that and use it as a launch pad for more.
“There will be time in the coming days and weeks to really analyse the season and reflect. Some of the numbers the lads have posted this year, the clean sheets, the points and the individual numbers have been sensational.
“It hasn't always been plain sailing, we have had to suffer and we've had some setbacks but as long as you are using them to learn and grow and use them to your benefit moving forward you are going to believe you are going to get there and we have never lost belief.”
Gerrard said lifting the league title is up there with the best achievements of his career.
He added: “It is right up there with some of the best achievements I have had in my career although it is different.
“What I did as a player is done, it is not about me now as a player it is about a different journey, a different role and my responsibility is different now.
“This club has gripped me, I knew it was big but until you are inside and you feel it it grabs you and I am loving every minute of it.
“The first day I walked in these stands were full and that blew my mind I didn't expect that and from that day I had a vision and I promised myself I am going to do everything in my power to get days like this back.”
Gerrard says it is now about resetting as a new journey begins for the squad as the look to build on this season’s success.
He added: “There has got to be more now, you don't last very long at this club if it is just one trophy so myself and the players have got to take responsibility for that to go and deliver more.
“The numbers are very impressive but it is about resetting and enjoying the moment now, let the guys enjoy it for a few weeks then I'll be back on them.
“We will give them some time to rest and recover mentally and physically and we will have more pressure on us next year.
“The expectation level will change again but hopefully the experience of this year will stand them in good stead to go and defend this for their life and attack the next one with their life, that's what it is about when you are at this football club.
“A club is nothing without supporters, especially at this club and especially with what they have been through, the players are well aware of that.
"We have educated them and told them what it's about and I think the fans looking in from a far can be really proud of what the players have given back. We have just got to build on that and give the fans more because they deserve it.”