Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has pledged to stand by Alfredo Morelos and Jon Flanagan despite their red cards in the Europa League playoff encounter at FC Ufa.

The Ibrox side were made to sweat after being reduced to nine men against their opponents at the Neftyanik Stadium, but held out for a 1-1 draw which put them through to the group stage.

Morelos was dismissed after collecting two bookings in quick succession for dissent, while Flanagan walked after the break as he also picked up a pair of yellow cards.

"I'm not going to sit here and criticise the two red cards because those two players have helped us very much since I came in the door," Gerrard told Sky Sports News at full time. "We go up together and we go down together.

"I'm sure Jon and Alfredo will apologise to their teammates, but in terms of the nine men who were there from start to finish, I haven't got words to describe them. Alfredo is an incredible footballer, but he's still a young footballer and I think it helps him that I've been a young footballer, someone who has made mistakes myself.

"The important thing is to learn, but to learn as quick as you can. The same goes for Jon, he's more experienced, but should know better. But players don't make mistakes on purpose. Sometimes the decisions were harsh and I thought in Alfredo's case the decision was very harsh, so I feel for him.

"I've said before I love the player and I love the person, but at the same time all my players need to learn quick that when you come away in Europe sometimes the decisions are not the same as domestically and we have to find some discipline because as a group ours hasn't been good enough so far."

Gers return to action on Sunday with the Old Firm derby against bitter rivals Celtic.