Gerrard's Rangers advance to Europa playoff

Manager Steven Gerrard said Rangers had knocked a quality side out of the Europa League Thursday after the Scottish club drew 0-0 in Slovenia to beat Maribor 3-1 on aggregate.

After dominating the first leg at Ibrox, Rangers were given a stern test in Slovenia but maintained a clean sheet thanks to some solid defending and an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who saved a stoppage-time penalty.

Maribor have been a thorn in the side of Scottish teams recently, knocking Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen and Hibernian out of European competition over the last eight years, and reached the group stage of last year's Champions League.

Gerrard took over at Rangers in May and has brought in 11 players as he looks to end the dominance of Glasgow rival Celtic, who have won the league for seven successive years.

Rangers have played over 900 minutes of football under Steven Gerrard.

They've had 720 minutes of competitive action and had to travel to Croatia, Slovenia and Macedonia.

They've had men sent off early in two different games.

They haven't been behind for a single second. 👊 pic.twitter.com/GW7ikEuTW3

— bet365 (@bet365) August 16, 2018

Reaching the group stage of the Europa League would also provide much-needed funds for a side which are still recovering from financial problems that saw them reformed in the bottom tier of Scottish football in 2012.

Former Liverpool great Gerrard, who was in charge of Liverpool's academy before taking up his first senior managerial position in Scotland, was delighted with the way his side had come together over the last month.

Rangers will next meet Russian side FC Ufa with a place in the Europa League group stage at stake.

The first match will be played at Ibrox Thursday with the away leg in Russia on Aug. 30 - just three days before Rangers meet Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the season.