LET’S GO. It was the quickfire answer that became a marketing slogan, the statement of intent that provided fans with a catchphrase as they united behind Steven Gerrard.

It was 12 months ago today that Gerrard was unveiled as Rangers manager. He didn’t just start a new era, he gave a disheartened support an injection of hope and confidence.

Now, Gerrard is older, wiser and more experienced, while his squad is better equipped to challenge at home and abroad.

His first campaign at Ibrox has ultimately been unsuccessful in terms of silverware, but it has been priceless in terms of learning. It has only served to whet the appetite of the 38-year-old.

“Let’s go again! I don’t know, I’m not here to give messages,” Gerrard said when asked what his message to fans would be ahead of his second season. “I didn’t know at the time people were going to latch on to it and there would be hashtags and that. I was asked a question.

“I am one who self reflects and I try to be as honest and as open as I can when I address the media. For me, its exciting. The first year was always going to be a challenge and there were always going to be some good time and bumps and setbacks along the way. That’s happened.

“I’m sure it will be the same next year. But I believe now we are a better team and a better squad.

“We will add to it and get it better again. The message is we go again to try and go one better next year and try and get the first trophy in the bag because I think that will be the catalyst to some success.

“But I think it will be tough because there are good teams and good players about. Other teams will strengthen too. It’s a tough challenge, but I am one who gets excited by a challenge. I wouldn’t say it doesn’t faze me, but of course it does because it’s huge - this challenge is huge. But I am as excited and hungry as I was when I walked through the door.

“I was hopeful 12 months ago, now I have got more confidence and belief because I know what I am dealing with, I know about where the challenges are going to come from. I know where I’ve got it slightly wrong, I know where I’ve got it right. And I want to use those experiences.”

The appointment of Gerrard split opinions but generated huge interest and even the fans that had reservations couldn’t help but get caught up in the hype around him.

From the highs of the Europa League to the disappointments of the cup competitions and frustrations of the title race, it has been quite the campaign for the Liverpool legend.

No one thing stands out as the biggest lesson for Gerrard. The thrill is still as strong today as it was on day one as thousands greeted him.

“Of course there were nerves - I had just got announced as the Rangers manager having only been in coaching for 18 months,” he said.

“I’d just been given the Glasgow Rangers job and had the responsibility of bringing success back to the club, of course there were nerves and butterflies, but that’s good. Oh yeah they are still there. That’s the feeling I got when Alex Inglethorpe pulled me into a room and told me they had Rangers on the phone and they wanted the chance to speak to me. That was a washing machine moment and I still get those feelings on match day when I am watching games and looking forward to games. If those feeling go or they are not there, then I don’t think it will be for me.”

Nobody inside or outside of Ibrox knew 12 months ago what Gerrard’s first campaign as a manager and his first at Ibrox would have in store. Rangers were confident they had the right man, but that couldn’t be said for certain.

Mistakes, of course, have been made and fans will look back at this season with a regretful sense of ‘what if?’ after so many near misses. But the positives outweigh the negatives for Rangers and the man at the helm.

“I’ve loved every minute of it,” Gerrard said. “It’s obviously been a journey of highs and lows like I expected. It always is whether you are a player, a coach or a manager.

“I’m just as proud today as I was when I walked through the door. I think I was hopeful when I walked in the door that this season was going to be a success.

“It was obviously a huge job and a huge challenge. I think there’s been progress made in certain areas.

“I’ll also admit that we’ve fallen short in drain areas as well. But now as I sit here, one year not the job, I’m a lot more confident now.

“I’ve learned an awful lot about myself, my players, the team, about the club and the league, about opposition players, managers, tactics.

“I feel as if I’m in a much better position now than I was a year ago. Sitting there on that big day in front of all the media I was hopeful that we could make it a success. Now I’m sitting here with the same hope but with more confidence that we can achieve some special things together.”

Gerrard collected the Manager of the Month award for April on Friday as he looks ahead to the visit of Hibernian tomorrow and a match he hopes will see Rangers record a fifth successive Premiership victory.

There is one eye on the summer already, though, as Dave King and his board get set to fund the next phase of the rebuilding job at Ibrox.

“What I inherited here, it would have been impossible to get it right overnight for anyone,” Gerrard said.

“I knew the size of it and that it would take time but I didn’t want to be one of those managers who come in and say they need four or five years for this project blah blah blah because I’ve heard that nonsense so many times across the media and at different clubs. You’ve got to appreciate, realise and respect the challenge and do everything you can as quick as you can to get it right and bring some good times back for these fans.

“I don’t know how long it will take to the day but I’m confident we will get there and we’re doing everything we can on and off the pitch to make this a better place and a place that can go and challenge for the big awards.

“That’s what we’re doing, everything. Around the clock.”