SportsRangers On Record-Breaking Spree, As 2 Nigerians Join To Lift Scottish Trophy

Rangers On Record-Breaking Spree, As 2 Nigerians Join To Lift Scottish Trophy

BEVERLY HILLS, May 14, (THEWILL) – Two of Nigeria’s Super Eagles players, defender Leon Balogun and midfielder Joe Aribo, were in a gloriously joyous mood on Saturday as they joined their Rangers FC teammates to lift the Scottish Premiership trophy for the first taste of silverware for the pair of Nigerian internationals.

It was made extra special by the achievements that occasioned the trophy run for Rangers. Steven Gerrard’s side wrote their name on the history books of the Scottish Premiership by completing the season with a 100% home record, taking Aberdeen to the cleaners with a 4-nil thrashing, and ended the season unbeaten.

But, that was not the only accomplishment for Rangers. In their unbeaten run to the title, they matched the achievement of fierce title rivals Celtic, in the 2016/17 season, and edged further than that by breaking a 107-year-old record set by Celtic for clean sheets in the Premiership.

That was not enough for Gerrard’s charges because they also breached the 100-points barrier for the first time earning 102 points in their record run. They also won every home game, 19 out of 19, as the first to do so since O’Neill’s Celtic, and outmatched it by not conceding a goal throughout their home matches. Credits must go to Balogun and company for their unflinching defensive work.

Rangers finished with 25 monstrous points clear of Celtic, which is monumental to think about. They also set a recent Scottish clean-sheet record with their 26th shut out against Aberdeen, and the 13 league goals they conceded throughout the season term is also a record low.

The win on Saturday came with goals through Joe Lewis – an own goal – two from Kemar Roofe and one from former Spurs striker Jermain Defoe.

A champagne-soaked but extremely pleased Gerrard said, in the midst of the post-match celebrations: “It feels good, it’s been a while since I’ve had the smell of champagne… I’m actually enjoying it.

“I was asked to come here at a really difficult time… It was about having a vision, having the right people in the right places, the right support from the board. We fought every day for three years to get to this point.”

It has been a splendid season overall for the manager and his charges. He has already deservedly won the 2020/21 Manager of the Year award as Rangers join the class of only three clubs across Europe who have gone unbeaten across a 38+ game season this century after just three years in charge of the club.

What will please Rangers fans all the more is that they finally ended the decade-long dominance of bitter rivals Celtic, as the blue half of Glasgow descends into party mode. The throngs outside Ibrox Stadium ignored warnings from the club, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government to stay away from the stadium.

Expectedly, the final whistle was met by a barrage of fireworks as the Light Blues faithful lit Glasgow up in red, white and blue.

About the Author

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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

Jude Obafemi, THEWILLhttps://thewillnews.com
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

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