STEVEN GERRARD is determined to maintain Rangers’ momentum and the Ibrox feelgood factor after an encouraging start to the campaign.

The Gers remain unbeaten on Gerrard’s watch after overcoming Kilmarnock on Sunday to book their place in the Betfred Cup quarter-finals.

Attentions will now turn to the Europa League play-off round clash with Ufa this week as Gerrard’s side attempt to clinch a group stage spot this term.

And the Light Blues boss is pleased with the progress that has been made in a short space of time following his appointment in May.

Gerrard said: “Momentum is key and we want to keep building on that. The lads are really enjoying winning and getting good results at the minute.

“You get a lot of benefits from that: confidence, belief, togetherness – so the dressing room is in a good place, but there are many more challenges that we need to face.

“We need to keep building on it and keep growing together, but, so far, so good and we are really pleased with the boys at the minute. Every challenge that they have had to face, they have been committed and their application has been superb.”

Rangers will be without the services of Jamie Murphy against Ufa after he was stretchered off with a knee injury at Rugby Park.

Jordan Rossiter, Graham Dorrans and Lee Wallace also remain sidelined but Lassana Coulibaly is close to returning to the squad.

Striker Alfredo Morelos will lead the line against the Russians after he inspired Gerrard’s side to victory over Killie and hit the first hat-trick of his Gers career.

Gerrard told RangersTV: “On the first day, when the boys reported back for pre-season, you could see straight away the player has ability and he is a fantastic player.

“It was our job to push Alfredo and push all the players physically in terms of fitness as we knew that was going to be the base for the rest of the season.

“In a short space of time, they have put in a hell of a volume of work, and it was tough for them, not just physically but mentally too.

“But they all committed to it and they all bought into it. Everything we tried to bring in – diet, new food, new regime and higher standards – and Alfredo bought into it as well from day one, and I think he is reaping the benefits right now, and the goals are coming now because of all the hard work he has put in from day one.”