Rangers boss Steven Gerrard lauded a "world-class" showing from Allan McGregor as the goalkeeper denied Maribor.

McGregor produced a spectacular save to deny Maribor a first-half opener from an audacious Amir Dervišević free-kick.

After the break, the Scotland international pulled off a point-blank stop from Tavares, before using his feet to save a penalty late on and secure progress for the Light Blues.

Gerrard hailed McGregor's contribution on the night and since he arrived at Ibrox.

He said: "He was big for us again tonight, he's been excellent in everything he has done since he came in the door.

"When you go away to tough places you need someone to bail you out from time-to-time.

"The save before the penalty was world-class, the penalty save was world-class and I think his all-round performance was so we're lucky to have him.

"It's a shame he's almost as old as me because we love him, Rangers fans love him, we wish he was ten years younger."

Maribor kept McGregor busy as they sought a way back into the tie after losing 3-1 in the first leg.

Gerrard said he expected his side to face long periods of pressure against what he felt was Champions League-calibre opposition.

He said: "The game panned out how we expected, we knew it would be tough, we were playing against Champions League opposition with more experience than we have.

"Absolutely delighted and I think, to a man, my players deserve a lot of praise."