Gary Lineker has sent Steven Gerrard a message of congratulations after the Liverpool legend secured the Scottish Premiership title with Rangers.
Gerrard has ended Celtic’s nine-year dominance of the Scottish top-flight and broken the record for the earliest-ever Premiership win.
Celtic’s 0-0 draw with Dundee United on Sunday was enough for Rangers to clinch the title after their 3-0 win over St Mirren yesterday left them 20 points clear at the top with six games remaining.
Securing the title on March 7 surpasses the March 26 milestone set by Neil Lennon’s Celtic in 2014.
While Rangers' side of 1888/89 won all 18 of their league fixtures before the turn of the year and Hibernian won the title on December 20 with two of their 22 matches to spare, Gerrard’s achievement has set a new bar for the modern era.
To make the achievement even sweeter, their first game as champions will be the third Old Firm game of the campaign at Celtic Park on March 21.
Here is how Lineker, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton and ex- Liverpool man Don Hutchinson reacted on Twitter:
Rangers’ title win has denied Celtic an unprecedented 10th successive league title.
Gerrard’s side have dropped just eight points in an unbeaten league campaign so far, with their victory on Saturday their 28th win in 32 matches.
They have been utterly dominant, scoring 77 goals and conceding just nine times.
“Delighted for Steven Gerrard and all his team. Celtic have had a period of dominance, which has been, I'll say, uncomfortable for us Rangers supporters,” former Liverpool midfielder and Rangers manager Graeme Souness said on Sky Sports.
“They thoroughly deserve it. They've been fantastic all season and I just wish I was in Glasgow right now."
