JAMES TAVERNIER has vowed Steven Gerrard will get the ‘instant respect’ of the Rangers dressing room when he takes over next month as manager.

The 37-year-old put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal on Friday just three days after Graeme Murty left his post as manager at Ibrox. In that time, the anticipation of Gerrard’s arrival reached such a height that 7,000 supporters flocked to Govan to catch a glimpse of a man they hope can take the club to a position to challenge Celtic.

It’s clear the hysteria of the fans has also rubbed off on the players who are eagerly anticipating working with the man who captained Liverpool to a Champions League triumph. And Tavernier insisted after yesterday’s 1-0 win over Kilmarnock the inexperienced coach will be admired by all under his charge for what he’s achieved as a player when he arrives in Glasgow to begin his managerial career.

The right-back said: “Hearing we've got Steven as the new gaffer for next season is a huge boost for the club and I'm sure there will be exciting times ahead for us.

“It'll be instant respect when he comes into the dressing-room. With any gaffer there has to be respect, no matter what.

“We had that with Graeme Murty and it'll be the same with Steven. But the fact that he's played at the highest level means it'll come straight away.

“I've never met him or played against him. I only follow him on Instagram!

“The aims have to be for the next two games because if we win them and finish second it'll put us in a better position for the Europa League qualifiers.

“It will give us more time off to recharge the batteries.

“But with Steven coming in, I'm sure the boys will be firing as soon as we come back for pre-season.

“It's been an exciting few days to hear Steven will be our new manager because his career speaks volumes. I'm really looking forward to working with him next season. Seeing what he's going to bring to the table will be great for the boys. And it's great for the club too.

“When I hear the name Gerrard, I just think of his playing days and that Champions League Final in 2005.

“That showed the character that he's got. What he's done for Liverpool as a captain and as a leader is incredible.

“So I can't wait to see his tactics, his mindset and what he'll bring to the squad.”

While Tavernier was able to look forward to the future with optimism, Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke was left to blast referee Alan Muir in the wake of a controversial end to yesterday’s match.

With Alfredo Morelos on the end of a booking in the 90th minute, the Colombian striker was involved in an altercation with Stuart Findlay just seconds later where he appeared to strike out with his arm at the groin of the Kilmarnock defender before pushing him.

Despite seeing the incident and awarding a foul, referee Muir failed to produce a second yellow, much to the ire of the Rugby Park manager.

“I'd say there was an elbow on Stuart Findlay dealt with by a yellow card, which I'm not sure is the right card,” said Clarke. “There was also a punch to his groin later on, when my goalkeeper had the ball in his hand, he gave a free-kick to us, so he saw the movement - no second yellow.

"It probably wouldn't have made a difference to the game and I don't want the lad Morleos to be cited or dealt with because it doesn't help us or this game. I'm not a big fan of that, but it shows a little bit, for me, the level of the refereeing performance today and that's the last two games.

"I haven't spoken about the referees all season and it's not as if I'm arguing because we're desperate for points because we're not. Referees have to be fair to both teams, that's all I ask for. I don't want every decision, I want some decisions and we didn't get enough decisions today. 12 fouls, four yellows for us. Rangers got two yellows in the last 10 minutes and one should have been a red and one's a normal yellow. Work it out for yourself guys.”