Rangers boss Steven Gerrard wants Ryan Kent to build on his Europa League heroics.

Former Liverpool winger Kent fired in the decisive goal to give Rangers a 1-0 win over Braga on Wednesday.

The £7m signing has endured a tough run of form, but Gerrard hopes he can kick on after helping the Gers book their place in the last-16.

He said: "Ryan is a player that we need that level of contribution from. There have been a lot of opinions on Ryan of late on what type of form he is in.

"But he delivered a big moment for us and he could have had two. He was disappointed with the big chance he had in the first half. But I am really happy with him and I don't just judge him on numbers.

"I judge him on what he is doing for the team - in and out of possession.

"People don't give him the credit he deserves in terms of the amount of running he does for us - but he came big for the team and scored the important goal.

"Hopefully this will do his confidence the world of good because there will be times when people aren't happy with him and it's a little bit up and down.

"That is part of being a footballer at a top club. But some of the opinions I have been reading of late on Ryan are ludicrous. He's a top player."