JAMES TAVERNIER reckons Rangers showed their defensive resolve as they stood firm to overcome Osijek at Ibrox.

Steven Gerrard’s side booked their place in the Europa League third qualifying round with a 2-1 aggregate win over the Croatians.

A Nikola Katic header saw the Gers double their lead in the tie before Borna Barisic gave the visitors hope going into added time.

Rangers were denied a sixth successive clean sheet under Gerrard’s guidance as they conceded for the first time this term.

But Tavernier was pleased with the performance of the new look defence as keeper Allan McGregor pulled off several important stops.

He said: “It is always nervous when you concede late but what we have worked on well early in the season is defending really well and the back four, well the back five, have done a tremendous job in pre-season and the game.

“We have been solid at the back so it was disappointing to concede. But I thought we saw out the game strong.

“We had chances and we would obviously have loved to have scored more goals. If we got one goal, they had to score two so I felt they would have to come out and that would create opportunities for us. I am just happy that we are through to the next round.

“He [McGregor] has made some excellent saves but we have got three tremendous keepers at the club that can do a great job. Greegsy has done a tremendous job since he has come in. We have worked really hard at the back and he is part of that.

“We know that we can create chances in games, but coming from last season, we conceded too many goals.

“I feel that, with what we have this season, we can really shut up shop at the back and keep goals out of our net.

“I’m positive we can go for a good run of games keeping clean sheets.”