There has been a feeling of inevitability about Steven Gerrard's Rangers departure since long before Aston Villa sacked Dean Smith on Sunday and made their move.
The writing was on the wall after a summer in which the Ibrox club spent a grand total of nothing on new players for the man who had just delivered their first title for 10 years. Just three Bosman free transfers arrived in the shape of Juninho Bacuna, John Lundstram and Fashion Sakala.
As a result, Gerrard has cut a moody figure since the start of the season, with his team's below-par displays mirroring that.