THE point in Porto could prove to be priceless for Rangers. But it will be their efforts at Ibrox that define their Europa League campaign.

Steven Gerrard was rightly proud of the performance and pleased with the result a fortnight ago as his side were rewarded for their bravery on the ball and discipline off it inside the Estadio do Dragao.

Coming on the back of the defeat away to Young Boys, it was a sign that Rangers are learning and growing as a team on the continent. On another night, a famous win could have been theirs.

The final whistle in Portugal marked the halfway stage of Group G and Rangers have four points from three games so far. Crucially, though, they have two at Ibrox still to come and the first arrives on Thursday evening as Porto make the trip to Glasgow.

Ibrox has already played host to two remarkable nights of European action this term as Legia Warsaw and Feyenoord were beaten and a victory against Sérgio Conceição’s side would be the most impressive win of the season so far.

It is an encounter midfielder Steven Davis is relishing and one Rangers can go into with plenty of belief after their impressive showing last month.

“We were obviously very pleased with the result and the performance on the night and we felt that we could have won the game as well,” Davis said. “It was never going to be an easy came going there but I felt we handled the occasion well and we grew into the game.

“In the second half especially we had good control and even in the first half we had good opportunities on the counter-attack and got the goal. Overall, we were delighted with the performance.

“It is going to be a very open group and you can see that with the way the results have gone so far. It will go right down to the wire and we have got another tough game to come against Porto.

“We will have to be respectful of them when we have them at Ibrox but, of course, the home games are the ones you have to target to pick up three points. That is what we will be aiming for.

“We have got to take massive confidence from the game in Porto but you don’t want to be overconfident. They have got quality players that can hurt you as well and you saw that with the first goal and the level of the strike.

“It was a really good performance from us after a lot of hard work and to go there and play the way we did was really pleasing.”

The positives were plentiful in Portugal for Gerrard as his players earned a thoroughly deserved draw.

Luis Diaz had given the perfect reminder of the quality within the Porto ranks as he fired the hosts ahead in spectacular fashion but Rangers worked an eye-catching goal of their own.

The flick frown Ryan Kent was lovely, the pass from Borna Barisic inch-perfect. And the finish from Alfredo Morelos was typically clinical as he capped a fine showing with a strike that has helped him to a tally of 20 already this term.

It was a moment that will bring Morelos to the attention of potential suitors once again. It also highlighted his importance to Gerrard and Rangers.

“We know that Alfredo is a handful and we know how good he is in front of goal as well,” Davis said. “He could have got another one as well and got us the three points. But, overall, I think he and the boys were excellent.

“Even in terms of game management, we were excellent. We had the disappointment of losing the game so late against Young Boys but I felt there were a lot of positives to take and we can a lot of confidence from that game.

“Alfredo is certainly getting better and since he has come back this season you can see he is a lot more focused. He had those incidents last year and I am sure that was something that he would have thought long and hard about.

“Listen, you want your best players available all the time and he is a massive player for us. I think he has shown a real maturity this season and his all-round game has come on leaps and bounds in a relatively short space of time, really, and since I have been here as well.

“He is obviously still very young and there is a lot of potential there to grow into and he will develop into a top player.

“With the number of goals he is getting for us and the performances then it is only natural that people will look at him. Obviously from a selfish point of view we want to keep players here as long as possible.”

After Morelos had earned Rangers a point, keeper Allan McGregor ensured they kept hold of it. His impact on the game and the outcome was just as important as he made a late double save.

McGregor is closing in on a new deal to keep him at Ibrox beyond the summer and Davis is delighted to see his long-serving team-mate still in such fine form.

He said: “Allan is a top, top goalkeeper and he has been for a number of years now. It is great to have him back there for us and we have that confidence in him because he pulls off saves for us on a regular basis. I am delighted for him. He is a top player and he has a few good years left in him yet.

“I wouldn’t imagine there will be any problems in terms of that [contract]. Greegsy loves the club, he loves being here and he is still putting in performances like that.

“I can’t see that ending any time soon. We are delighted to have him here as well.”