Hungry Steven Gerrard has warned new Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou that Rangers are ready to defend their title with their lives.
The Ibrox boss is raring to get started again in just over a month’s time after ending a decade-long wait to take the top flight crown.
And he says the prospect of winning silverware in front of supporters after a year of locked gates at grounds around the country is doubling his determination to build on last season where they blew Celtic away to win the title by 25 points.
Rangers are back for pre-season this week and are looking to improve on the domestic cup performances while looking forward to returning to the Champions League for the first time in 10 years.
But the league once again remains the priority.
And Gerrard said: “I want us to defend this championship with our lives and also attack 2021/22 with everything we have got with hopefully all our fans back at Ibrox and at away games if the restrictions allow for that.
“It goes without saying that we have missed our supporters massively and while we want to build on our recent league success for them, we also want to improve and go further in the domestic cups, while striving to be better in Europe.
“So there is much to play for next season.
"With new faces in our squad there is no reason why we can’t go into it with great optimism, excitement and belief.”
Gerrard has taken time over the past five weeks to reflect on the unbeaten league run which saw them break the 100 points barrier for the first time.
And the Liverpool legend says clinching it with a 4-0 win over Aberdeen was one of the proudest moments in his career.
He told the club’s official title souvenir magazine: “The pressure was on us to bring the title back to Ibrox for so many reasons.
"Aside from the fact that our city rivals were aiming for a record number of successive titles, it had been a decade since Rangers were Scottish champions, which was far too long.
“When we beat St Mirren on March 6, a result which put us so close to getting over the line, the scenes at Ibrox with the fans will go to the grave with me.
“As will the celebrations at the training ground the next day when Celtic drew at Tannadice and we were champions.
“To finish the campaign with a 4-0 win over Aberdeen at home before we got our hands on the trophy was the icing on the cake and it was one of the best and proudest days of my football career.
“But for me, that is what being at this club is all about – it is about success, trophies and keeping that hunger and consistency moving forward.
“That hunger is either in you or it is not and I think the day when I don’t feel it in me is the day I won’t get involved in football or I’ll call it a day.
“Right now I feel really optimistic and excited about the future at Rangers.”
