STEVEN GERRARD hopes Rangers have set themselves up for a memorable night at Ibrox after coming from behind to draw with Slavia Prague in the Europa League.

The Premiership champions will take a crucial away goal into their second leg next Thursday night as Filip Helander cancelled out a stunning early strike from Nicolae Stanciu.

It was another impressive result on the continent from Rangers just days after they celebrated clinching the top flight title and Gerrard was proud of his players as they now set their sights on the quarter finals this term.

Gerrard said: "Listen, at this stage it is very difficult to get results. You only have to look at Scottish history to be aware of that.

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"We were coming up against a team with a fantastic home record, domestically unbeaten. So we knew the challenge was very big against a powerful team who like to play at a high intensity.

"We needed to be ready for that but after the week we had it was quite tough. Credit to the players they rolled their sleeves up and dug in.

"After a slow start where we were a little bit second best, the players’ performance was really positive from my point of view.

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"We have put the tie in a real good position and that was always the gameplan before a ball was kicked — can we set it up for Ibrox next week? Because we know we know we are a real strong team at home

"It’s a combination of things. We have got good experienced players. We have been there before when we have not got off to a good start but we have a group of players who play with no ego and who stick together.

"They don’t give up. One thing you can never fault this group for is fight, effort and application. Again, we got out of the game what we deserved."

Rangers found themselves trailing after just seven minutes as Stanciu beat Allan McGregor with an effort from distance but their perseverance paid off as Helander converted a cross from Ianis Hagi before the break.

McGregor pulled off a remarkable stop to deny Lukáš Masopust with the final chance of an entertaining encounter and that could prove crucial come the final whistle at Ibrox.

Slavia are unbeaten in the Fortuna Liga this term and Gerrard will take confidence from the performance and the result as his side turn their attentions to the second leg.

Gerrard said: "I think it was a fair result and I think we have given everything tonight from a physical point of view after the week that we have had.

"This was probably the toughest opposition that we could have faced because they play at a real high intensity and they are a powerful team that came out of the blocks extremely quickly.

"After a poor start, or a slow start, I thought we did ever so well to get back in the game and we have had some chances, they have had some chances and I think overall it is a fair result that sets us up for next week.

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"When we analysed this team, one of the areas we saw opposition teams getting success was at set plays.

"It was a decent delivery and it is about who reacts the quickest and is switched on and who wants to gamble, if you like. Ianis has gambled and done ever so well to drag it back.

"You expect one of your attacking players to go and score but it was big, super Fil, the prolific centre-half from Sweden, and we managed to get back in the game. I thought after a sloppy start, on the balance of play, that is the least we deserved."