EXCEPTIONAL in Europe, disappointing domestically.

There was a huge amount for Steven Gerrard to be satisfied with in Rangers’ midweek display against and 1-0 win over Braga in Portugal; his side was rock solid defensively, dominated in midfield and carved out a plethora of excellent scoring chances up front.

Yet, once his elation at a momentous Europa League last 32 victory over the form team in the Primeira Liga had subsided, he was left pondering one question? Why can’t his men perform at the same high level on a regular basis against lesser opposition in Scotland?

Asked on Friday if he had been left pulling his hair out at the costly anomaly when he returned from the overseas sortie, Gerrard said: “I did it before I got home!”

The Herald:

The former Liverpool and England midfielder feels that Rangers can compete with German opponents Bayer Leverkusen in the next round of the continental competition later this month.

But, having seen his men fall 12 points behind Celtic in the Ladbrokes Premiership this year after defeats to Hearts and Kilmarnock and draws with Aberdeen and St Johnstone, he can’t be quite so confident about their league rivals.

He knows it is a problem he requires to urgently address if the Ibrox club are to end their long wait for a major trophy.

“It is a difficult one because I know when these players are really in the zone and focused and respect the challenge in front of them are a match for anyone they come up against,” he said. “So at times it has been frustrating, despairing if you, like when you analyse some of the results we have had.

“I think what Wednesday night shows is that when everyone is tuned in and everyone follows a game plan and really sacrifices themselves for the team and parks their ego up we are a formidable team.

The Herald:

“That (Braga away) is probably the best performance we have had as a group. It makes you feel really proud of the side. When we can get that consistently I believe we will become a successful team.

"That is what the best teams do, they find that consistency for longer periods and they are the ones who are successful. That is what it is about.

“If we keep letting our standards slip from time to time that is where issues and complications come in. But we are still trying to learn and grow. I still know we are not the finished team or where I want us to be. We will continue to try and improve things.”

Gerrard, a former Champions League winner, confessed that he had never dreamed a Europa League last 16 place was possible when Rangers played in their first qualifier back in July. He isn’t, though, writing off the Glasgow club’s chances of seeing off Leverkusen and going even further.

The Herald:

“Every experience I have had, whether it’s been a friendly or a real competitive game against a German team domestically or for England, I have always come away thinking they are seriously organised in terms of their tactical approach,” he said.

"They are big and strong physically and are good professional players who know how to play football. You are certainly up against it against German opposition whether you are a player or a coach.

“When the first game comes around and the kick-off comes I am sure Ibrox will be pumping and jumping. If we can continue to be as consistent as we have been in Europe then hopefully we can give them a right good test.”

Gerrard continued: “We deserve to be excited, we deserve to be in the draw, because we’ve consistently performed at a real high level when it comes down to Europe. Nobody really gave us a chance in the group.

"I am sure the majority would have backed Braga to knock us out in the last 32. The players deserve to be excited and deserve to be in the competition at this stage.”