Given that Rangers do not lose under Steven Gerrard, there is a fair chance this will not be their last Thursday night under the lights at Ibrox this season.

And what an achievement Europa League qualification would be for the rookie boss, who is now unbeaten in 10 matches, seven of which have come in this competition.

Just three of the 86 teams who entered first-round qualifying during the week of the World Cup semi-finals are still involved.

So just as Gerrard the player was the man for the big European nights, his side are also revelling in their continental adventure, replicating the energy and desire which epitomised their manager.

Not that they should celebrate passage just yet, not when the lead is so slender and a 2,300-mile trip deep into Russia still has to be negotiated.

But they have every reason to be confident.

On a typically raucous night in Govan, victory was secured thanks to Connor Goldson, the former Brighton defender pouncing from close range after an Alfredo Morelos header - from a Ryan Kent corner - had been blocked on the line on 41 minutes.

The early success of Gerrard's reign, however, has been built from the back and this was a sixth clean sheet.

Gerrard the coach has been pragmatic and his team pugnacious in Europe thus far, twice protecting first-leg leads with goalless draws on the road.

One more against the team currently 11th in the Russian top flight and they are through.

But the next 10 days will be a stern test of Gerrard's managerial credentials, for when Rangers return from Russia next Friday they have less than 48 hours to prepare for the small matter of an Old Firm derby.

If Gerrard remains unbeaten after that game there will be no more talk of the 'rookie boss', a tag of which the former England captain continues to make a mockery.