THERE will be no Progres for Rangers this time out. There is progress once again, however, after Steven Gerrard’s side moved to within one tie of the Europa League group stages.

The ten matches that Gerrard has had in charge haven’t been perfect, but this was just the kind of performance he needed from his side. A goalless draw has rarely meant as much but it was all Rangers needed to see off Maribor, courtesy of their 3-1 win at Ibrox last Thursday.

Now, it is Ufa that stand between Rangers and their European ambition after their late aggregate victory over Niederkorn in Luxembourg. It is a challenge Gerrard can have faith his players are more than capable of rising to and overcoming.

If Rangers do go all the way and end up in the groups, they will have certainly put in the miles on a journey of a different kind. Trips to Macedonia, Croatia and now Slovenia have been successful and now one to Russia awaits.

This was a determined, discipled display and one from which Gerrard and his players will rightly take huge satisfaction. What they started in Glasgow, they finished in Maribor and the place in the play-off round was more than merited.

Gerrard was always going to be forced to make one change to his preferred line-up after Jon Flanagan was ruled out through suspension. As expected, Andy Halliday took over at left-back as he looked to repay his manager’s faith in an unfamiliar position.

The returns of Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield in the middle of the park were major boosts for the Gers, but they were offset somewhat by the loss of Lassana Coulibaly.

The Malian has been an impressive performer so far this term and his absence, with the more attack-minded Ovie Ejaria starting instead, meant Rangers weren’t as solid as they could have been in the central area.

Gerrard was looking for the right balance in approach from his side but not conceding early was almost as important as adding to their advantage. This was never going to be a night of plain sailing, but Rangers had to weather the storm first and foremost.

It was no surprise to see Maribor start on the front foot and the first sustained spell of pressure came after just a quarter of an hour as the vocal ‘Viole’ Ultras section roared them on from behind the goal.

Allan McGregor got a strong hand to a Marcos Tavares shot that would have stung his palms but he wasn’t tested as Luka Zahovic fired over from the edge of the area before Nikola Katic blocked an effort from Blaz Vrhovec. Thankfully for Gerrard, Katic was also on hand to ensure Sasa Ivkovic didn’t head home a corner from Amir Dervisevic.

The band of Light Blues fans in the corner of the Stadion Ljudski would have repeatedly glanced to their left to check on the clock and the minutes ticked by slowly for Rangers.

The half hour mark was reached without the scoreboard changing, though, and Gerrard’s side eventually showed some threat in the final third when James Tavernier burst down the right flank. His cross to the back post was teasing but the offside flag was raised before Morelos made contact and fired wide of target.

Normal service was quickly resumed as Rangers defended and the purple shirts of Maribor swarmed forward. Jack picked up a yellow for a foul on Tavares, joining Ejaria and Daniel Candeias in the book, and Dervisevic lined up the free-kick as reinforcements arrived in the area.

The midfielder had other ideas, though. His thinking was quick, but not as smart as McGregor’s reactions as the keeper punched away an audacious effort from 30 yards.

Another save from Vrhovec was more straightforward for McGregor as he continued to prove his worth to Gerrard’s side following his return to Ibrox this summer.

It was the final stop of the half the 36-year-old had to make. Rangers were now three quarters of the way there but supporters here and at home wouldn’t have been sitting comfortably.

Candeias got them off their seats briefly with a driven effort that Jasmin Handanovic parried before Halliday converted a Morelos cross. The flag was already up, though, with the Colombian unable to keep the ball in play on the far side.

Seconds later, Maribor carved out their latest chance. The ball was worked well along the edge of the area and Dino Hotic arrived in space and fired in a shot that Connor Goldson threw himself in front of to block.

It was approaching the time where a goal for Rangers would surely have sealed their play-off place. Murphy had a chance to score it after a terrific pass from Morelos but his shot was dragged low and wide of target from a tight angle.

Even with less than half an hour left, Maribor hadn’t given up hope. They pressed and probed but Rangers continued to stand firm.

McGregor had attracted the ire of the home crowd for what they perceived as time wasting all night and the Gers keeper was targeted with missiles that referee Jonathan Lardot collected. It passed more crucial seconds.

When Rangers needed an experienced, cool head in the heat of battle, McGregor was standing up to be counted. His point-blank save from Tavares, after an Aleks Pihler header, was superb and added to the sense of desperation that was now in the Maribor ranks both on and off the park.

Gerrard had already added fresh legs to the side as Ryan Kent took over from Ejaria and it was time to shore things up further with 15 minutes remaining as Ross McCrorie replaced Murphy. The final countdown had begun.

The closing stages would have been easier had Morelos not fired over from close range but time was now very much on Rangers’ side. Soon, it was up for Maribor.

Tavares had their final chance in injury time but McGregor rose to the occasion once again after Goldson was penalised for a foul on Zahovic inside the area.

The penalty was powerful and straight down the middle and, on a night where he was head and shoulders above the rest, McGregor saved with his legs. That was that.

The Rangers fans drowned out their hosts in the final seconds. They had plenty to sing about, and Gerrard had everything to celebrate.