Gerrard looks ahead to 'two more challenges' after derby win

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard praised his players after they thumped Celtic 4-1 at Ibrox – then said there were two challenges left for the team.

Kemar Roofe scored twice and Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe found the net as Rangers punished 10-man Celtic to complete the season without losing a derby.

Gerrard was pleased his side took the game to their opponents and made the most of their advantage after Callum McGregor was sent off in the first half.

“I’m really pleased with the performance,” the Rangers boss said.

“These derby games are all about the big moments. You prepare for them and then do whatever you can to make sure the big moments go your way.

“We started the game really well and picked a really aggressive and bold shape today as we wanted to go for Celtic’s throat. We did that and took the lead.

“Unfortunately we were sloppy in terms of the equaliser but then again it was us on the front foot forcing the issue and then Alfredo scored a fantastic second.

“When that was happening there was also a big moment with the red card but it was the right call.

“So we’ve worked extremely hard for this victory from start to finish and we certainly deserve the three points.”

With the league title secured almost two months ago, and Scottish Cup hopes ending with a penalty shoot-out defeat to St Johnstone last week, the only remaining challenge for Rangers now is to complete an unbeaten season.

Matches against Livingston and Aberdeen stand between the side and an ‘invincible’ Premiership season and having seen his side show consistency to this point, Gerrard urged them to make a final push.

He said: “To manoeuvre the league through Covid has been a challenge but the players deserve all the credit they’ve had because they’re the ones that go out and produce the performances to get us to this point.

“There’s two challenges left and we want to go try and finish as strongly as we can.”