‘This is just the beginning, this is just the start’, was Steven Gerrard’s message to his triumphant title-winning squad following an Invisible league campaign last season.
Kemar Roofe revealed that rousing speech from his manager as they basked in helping the club to an historic first title in a decade.
And that was the general message from Gerrard who himself made noises that he was in no hurry to depart with his Govan god status secured.
Yet just seven months on from the champagne corks popping as they held aloft that trophy at Ibrox, it does seem to be the end - at least for Gerrard himself who is Aston Villa-bound.
That is what appears to have irked many Rangers supporters after believing their manager wasn’t likely be going anywhere in the short term.
As recently as last month’s Europa League win over Brondby he shot down BT Sport reporter Emma Dodds for asking “silly questions” when she quizzed him on links with Newcastle United.
It was Brendan Rodgers’ continual insistence that he had no desire to leave because he was in his “dream job” that so angered Celtic fans when he suddenly left for Leicester City.
In fairness to Gerrard, Rangers isn’t his boyhood club so hasn’t laid it on thick in the way the former Hoops boss did.
Nevertheless, the former England and Liverpool captain has said enough for Gers supporters to be more than a little annoyed at the fact he appears happy to leave.
Here, Record Sport looks at some of the quotes from Gerrard and his players that pointed to a longer term stat at the Light Blues.
March 6 (after St Mirren win that put them on brink of title)
Gerrard said: “I’m on a real, emotional high and it has been a journey that is not finished. There is more to come and the next thing for me, when you win, it is always about what is next.
“I am hungry for more and I hope my players share that with me. If they do then it is exciting times to be a Rangers fan.”
March 26
Kemar Roofe said: “As soon as we won the league, the next training session the gaffer said in the meeting: ‘This is the beginning, this is just the start.”
May 15
Speaking to Sky Sports and former Rangers strike duo Kris Boyd and Ally McCoist in the Main Stand at Ibrox, Gerrard gave an emotional interview.
Having spent almost his entire playing career at Liverpool, he said: “As a kid, I thought it was one club for life.
“I've come through at Liverpool and had a career there which I'm immensely proud of. I came up here with my eyes wide open to learn about the club.
“I had a good idea from the outside but this has grabbed me. It’s a club like very few in the world.
“This has got a special place in my heart. I'm happy here. I had to make a lot of sacrifices family wise, but I want more.”
June
Gerrard said: “Right now I feel really optimistic and excited about the future at Rangers.
“I want us to defend this championship with our lives and also attack 2021/22 with everything we have got.”
October
With speculation linking him with the then vacant Newcastle United job, Gerrard was quizzed on his future following his side’s 2-0 win over Brondby at Ibrox in Europe.
He responded: “Do I look happy? Do I look settled? Don’t ask me silly questions then.”
At his pre-match press conference, he said: "‘For me, I am in a very big job and a very big role here that I am very much fully focused on."
November
Gerrard talked up the importance of the upcoming games as he ordered his players to prioritise club over country as a host of stars headed off on international duty after Sunday’s win over Ross County at Ibrox.
The first game back is a huge Premier Sports Cup semi-final clash against Hibs but it now looks like he won’t be in the dug-out despite his strong message to his players.
It was put to Gerrard his players are about to be involved in some highly important matches but his focus is trained on one thing only.
"Not as important as the semi-final," he replied. Not as important either as the chance to manage in the Premier League it seems.
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