Walter Smith has recently been hailed as the 'Godfather' of Scottish football but, to be fair to the Rangers boss, he has probably taken more hits this season than Don Corleone ever did.
And the veteran manager has not only survived to tell the tale, he has somehow managed to come out on top yet again and in emphatic style to boot.
Winning championships is nothing new to the 62-year-old - after all, he played a major role in the famous 'Nine in a Row' campaign during a hugely successful first spell at the Ibrox helm in the 1990s.
However, some might argue the sequel has been even more impressive.
Smith himself would probably admit this particular title triumph will stand above most others because, quite simply, he has just helped safeguard the very future of the club for at least another season.
Chief executive Martin Bain revealed the manager was under immense pressure to deliver the championship - and Champions League football - 12 months ago in a bid to ease the strain on a club in the midst of a financial crisis.
And Bain admitted the pressure to retain the silverware and ensure another crack at Europe's elite was tenfold this time around as uncertainty continues to hang over Ibrox like a dark cloud.
That's exactly what Smith has done, with an 11-point lead at the summit with three games to spare, and with the Co-operative Insurance Cup thrown in for good measure.
There is no doubt the ill-fated nine-month reign of former Celtic manager Tony Mowbray aided Rangers' cause but here are some other facts to consider.
Smith has not been able to sign a new player since August 2008, while losing personnel such as Barry Ferguson, Charlie Adam and Pedro Mendes.
The only new arrival in that time was the loan signing of Jerome Rothen from Paris Saint Germain, a player who arrived with a decent reputation and left a spectacular flop after just eight performances, the last being a shock 4-1 defeat to Romanians Unirea Urziceni.
The manager and his backroom staff have been working without contracts since January of this year and have no idea whether they will be able to retain the services of key players ahead of the new season or whether they, themselves, will still be at Ibrox, with potential new ownership of the club still unresolved.
Even his own players, at times, have conspired to make life difficult for Smith.
Star man Madjid Bougherra appeared to put country before club on a number of occasions by going AWOL and reporting back late from international duty with Algeria, while goalkeeper Allan McGregor's personal life continues to appear on the front pages.
But the one thing every single player is agreed upon is that Smith must remain beyond the summer.
Champions League football and an opportunity to defend his crown awaits if he does stay. Time will tell if that is an offer Smith can't refuse.
Winning championships is nothing new to the 62-year-old - after all, he played a major role in the famous 'Nine in a Row' campaign during a hugely successful first spell at the Ibrox helm in the 1990s.
However, some might argue the sequel has been even more impressive.
Smith himself would probably admit this particular title triumph will stand above most others because, quite simply, he has just helped safeguard the very future of the club for at least another season.
Chief executive Martin Bain revealed the manager was under immense pressure to deliver the championship - and Champions League football - 12 months ago in a bid to ease the strain on a club in the midst of a financial crisis.
And Bain admitted the pressure to retain the silverware and ensure another crack at Europe's elite was tenfold this time around as uncertainty continues to hang over Ibrox like a dark cloud.
That's exactly what Smith has done, with an 11-point lead at the summit with three games to spare, and with the Co-operative Insurance Cup thrown in for good measure.
There is no doubt the ill-fated nine-month reign of former Celtic manager Tony Mowbray aided Rangers' cause but here are some other facts to consider.
Smith has not been able to sign a new player since August 2008, while losing personnel such as Barry Ferguson, Charlie Adam and Pedro Mendes.
The only new arrival in that time was the loan signing of Jerome Rothen from Paris Saint Germain, a player who arrived with a decent reputation and left a spectacular flop after just eight performances, the last being a shock 4-1 defeat to Romanians Unirea Urziceni.
The manager and his backroom staff have been working without contracts since January of this year and have no idea whether they will be able to retain the services of key players ahead of the new season or whether they, themselves, will still be at Ibrox, with potential new ownership of the club still unresolved.
Even his own players, at times, have conspired to make life difficult for Smith.
Star man Madjid Bougherra appeared to put country before club on a number of occasions by going AWOL and reporting back late from international duty with Algeria, while goalkeeper Allan McGregor's personal life continues to appear on the front pages.
But the one thing every single player is agreed upon is that Smith must remain beyond the summer.
Champions League football and an opportunity to defend his crown awaits if he does stay. Time will tell if that is an offer Smith can't refuse.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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