Dean Shiels basking in moment after Rangers gain top flight promotion

The Northern Ireland international described his joy at the ‘journey’ finally having been completed.

“It’s been a long journey but brilliant all the same. There are only a few of them to have played every season. It hasn’t been easy to win each League, despite everyone expecting it,” said Shiels.

“No opposition team will all you to walk all over them. Every victory has to be earned. It’s been very emotional - a long and tough journey. The club was always going to get back to where they belong and it’s great to have been a part of it.”

Meanwhile, 20-year-old defender Dominic Ball, on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham is eyeing a trophy treble to finish the season in style.

Mark Warburton’s side will face Peterhead in the Petrofac Training Cup final at Hampden Park on Sunday before returning to the national stadium the following week for the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against traditional rivals Celtic.

When the dust has settled at the end of May, the Englishman, who previously had a loan spell with Cambridge United, wants to have three medals in his collection.

Speaking at Hampden Park where he was publicising Sunday’s final, Ball said: “It would be brilliant, that is what I want to get, three trophies, it’s not bad for your second loan at 20 years old.

“I think that would help me push on massively and it’s massive for the club as well, the lads would deserve it as well, so we will see.”

Promotion was the primary object for Rangers this season, but with that in the bag they can focus more on the knock-out competitions.

“It was a bit of relief at getting over the line,” Ball added. “Now we can focus on the game on Sunday and then the game against Celtic.

“Everyone wants to play in the biggest games of football and the Old Firm game is one of them.

“When I first came here the gaffer told me I was here to help win the league. The targets were clear, we had to win the league and every day in training and every game was working towards that.

“So when you have done it, it is brilliant. You work so hard for it. It is my first trophy so I am really happy, really proud.”

Ball enjoyed the post-match celebrations on Tuesday night as much as anything he has experienced in Scottish football this seasons and would have no qualms at returning to Ibrox after the summer.

He said: “Playing in front of 50,000 is what I wanted to do since I was young and every week I play out there. It was brilliant last night.

“I will have to wait and see what the options are and what Spurs want.

“But I have loved my time here, the lads, the manager, so I would definitely be open to coming back next year but it is down to Spurs.”