‘Huge impact’: Carragher highlights Rangers factor that’s helped Gerrard win title at Ibrox

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Jamie Carragher believes the financial boost that’s come as a result of Rangers’ success in Europe has played a key role in their title triumph.

Celtic’s failure to beat Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday meant it was mathematically impossible for them to achieve their dream of 10-in-a-row, and ensured Steven Gerrard would be celebrating his first title since taking the Rangers job in 2018.

Carragher was full of praise for his former Liverpool team-mate, and highlighted the strides he’s made in European football.

A 9-5 aggregate victory over Royal Antwerp ensured Rangers reached the Europa League’s final 16 for the second consecutive season, having already topped a group that featured Benfica, Standard Liege and Lech Poznan.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: “It’s huge. I think they’ve been terrified now for the last few years that that record was going to be broken by Celtic in terms of 10-in-a-row, and I think when Steven Gerrard came in, that was the name of the game, to basically stop Celtic achieving that.

“And, they’ve come a long way Rangers, we know the situation they found themselves in a few years ago, and it’s been probably too long for them to come back, but they’ll be hoping the glory days are back.”

Asked what he’s made of the job that Gerrard has done in his first management role, he replied: “He’s done a brilliant job. He was so far behind Celtic when he first came in.

“I think the European campaigns have been the big boost, certainly financially, to help him then reinvest in the squad for the following season so you can build that squad, improve that squad, so the European campaigns have had a huge impact on Rangers winning the title.”

Rangers take on Slavia Prague in their Europa League first leg on Thursday.