STEVEN GERRARD reckons his Rangers squad are forging the same kind of attitude and mentality that drove Ibrox legends to glory for the Light Blues.

The 38-year-old saw his side battle to a 1-0 win over NK Osijek in Croatia on Thursday night as they moved a step closer to a place in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

Gerrard has overhauled his Gers ranks this summer and he is encouraged by the resolve and character already on show this term.

He said: “From front to back we defended like men. The Rangers teams I have watched over the years did that, they defended like men.

“I’m talking about the Richard Goughs of this world, your Barry Fergusons.

“Before the game on Thursday we had lunch with Sasa Papac - he’s a proper man too.

“These men went out there and defended the badge, they defended the team.

“When they came to places like this they hated getting beat. That’s the mentality we need if we are going to go places.

“We are very pleased with the effort and the application because we have been drilling them since day one.

“My staff deserve a lot of credit in terms of helping me get the shape and philosophy over.

“I’m just as interested in what the players do out of possession, how organised they are, the crap runs you have to do, the dirty runs that hurt your legs.

“When you come to places like this you’ve got to run for your teammate. I’m more interested in that side of the game.

“I’m confident we have got the talent and the ability to create chances and goals. We were one of the highest scorers in the league last year.

“For me, the priority was to stiffen us up and turn us into men and let teams feel us. Let us become a proper Rangers team.

“I believe that the sides I have watched over the last couple of years would have wilted under that pressure.”

Victory over Osijek was the second triumph in three competitive outings for Gerrard following the win and draw against FK Shkupi.

And he is pleased with the foundations that are in place as Rangers look to go from strength to strength this season.

He said: “What the lads have done - and credit to them - is they have applied themselves to found that base.

“And they feel good in that dressing room because they know now they have got a base there and they have people who will go and head it and put their body on the line, do what you need to go to get clean sheets.

“There will be times when you need to play more attacking football and better football that looks better on the ere.

“But I won European trophies with Liverpool. What I know is that you build on that foundation.

“You come to places like this and you are hard to beat. And then you get your rewards.”

Rangers produced a solid defensive showing to keep Osijek at bay as Alfredo Morelos netted the only goal of the game at the Stadion Gradski.

It was a professional and hard-working performance from the Light Blues and now they will look to finish the job at on home soil next week.

Gerrard said: “I think the word you are looking for is trust.

“I think Allan McGregor now has got two centre halves in front of him that he trusts. And they trust him.

“Flanagan is in there, another 8 out of 10 performance. Solid Flanno, that’s what he is.

“Tav up against their danger men for most of the game and handled himself really well.

“We’re building trust. You know when someone makes a mistake its’s fine lines. Nobody is pointing fingers,

“We are all in it together. That’s what you try to build in an environment. Trust.”