The experienced Brazilian looked tentative at times immediately after joining the Glasgow giants from Cruzeiro in his native homeland in the summer.

However, the 32-year-old was absolutely outstanding in the stunning 2-0 victory over SPL rivals Motherwell in the Scottish Communities League Cup at Ibrox last week.

And he also helped Ally McCoist's men survive a big scare against Highland League minnows Forres Mechanics in the William Hill Scottish Cup at the weekend.

Goalkeeper Alexander has certainly been impressed with the former Empoli, Lazio and Napoli defender – during his team's last two outings in particular.

He thinks Emilson has adapted well to the Scottish gam in a short space of time – and reckons not speaking fluent English is no problem as long he is between the sticks.

"The manager singled out Emilson in the dressing-room after the game at the weekend," he said. "He did very well on Wednesday and very well once again on Saturday in tough circumstances.

"Forres put a lot of balls into the box and Emilson was always there putting his head on to things. He helped us a lot and played a big part in us keeping our second consecutive clean sheet.

"The back four is coming along nicely. We are starting to gel, starting to know each other a bit more, and I have said this for several weeks now, it is just going to take time for it to happen.

"We are a brand new team, there are a lot of new faces. It must be a real shock to the system for all the foreign boys, not just Emilson, to arrive at Rangers from another country.

"But the language barrier isn't a problem. I just shout at them! If they understand me, great. If they don't, too bad. Football has one language and I think Emilson more than understands the message I am trying to get across."

THE ex-Scotland keeper added: "Having said that, I can't blame him if he ever switches off when I am screaming in his ear. I just try to help. I see the game unfolding from the back and I might see things before they do and I try to help – help them, help the team and help myself.

"It was a poor performance at the weekend, but we got into the next round and had another clean sheet. The more games we play the more we will gel. But I think that you can start to see a more solid partnership between the back four and myself already."

The Rangers goalkeeper is hoping for an improved showing on the road when Rangers take on Stirling Albion in the Irn-Bru Third Division at Forthbank this Saturday.

The Glasgow giants have played poorly away from Ibrox and their displays at Brechin, Peterhead, Berwick, Annan and Forres have left a great deal to be desired.

Alexander believes it has been hard for the foreign contingent at Ibrox – Anestis Argyriou and Sebastian Faure have also arrived – to deal with trips to unglamorous venues like Glebe Park, Balmoor, Shielfield Park, Galabank and Mosset Park.

But he is optimistic that, defensively at least, this new-look Light Blues team has made progress and will record their first away win in the league against Stirling Albion at Forthbank.

He said: "The Scottish boys know what it is like going to smaller grounds to take on these clubs having played in the Scottish Cup before. And myself and Lee [McCulloch] have experience of going to smaller clubs in England having played in the FA Cup.

"We know that when you go to small grounds it is always tough. None of the SPL teams like playing lower league teams. It is always a tough game, there is always a battle and often upsets.

"The foreigners who have come here must think 'What's going on here?' as one week they are playing in front of a full house at Ibrox, then they are playing at somewhere like Mosset Park in front of a far smaller crowd.

"But they are certainly applying themselves. We are starting to get a settled team now and hopefully, although it wasn't great at the weekend, there are positive signs for the future."

Alexander feels that experienced duo of Lee Wallace and McCulloch will continue to be important players in the months ahead.

He said: "We all know what a fantastic player Waldo is.

"I thought he was superb against Motherwell. He is starting to show all his qualities.

"The two Lees have been doing well. The older lads are chipping in and helping the younger boys out."