RANGERS’ ill-discipline cost the team last term. Now it will cost the individual as well.

As the red cards were racked up, Steven Gerrard’s side saw their chances of silverware diminish.

The Light Blues would shoot themselves in the foot on too many occasions as they were left empty-handed despite making progress in Gerrard’s first term as manager.

Alfredo Morelos was the main culprit and he would be sent off five times, one of which was rescinded, as his disciplinary record became one of the main topics of the conversation.

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But captain James Tavernier reckons the new code of conduct in place at Ibrox has helped keep a lid on individual moments of madness.

Tavernier said: “It’s very important, definitely. Before the season started we sat down and drew up a new disciplinary code of conduct.

“It was self-evident that it cost us last season in terms of suspensions. We had big players missing big games but the lads have learned from that.

“Alfredo has been top drawer since he’s been here.

“You can see he has toned certain things down which has really helped the team but he still has that fiery edge that makes him relentless and always wanting to score goals for us.

“It would hurt you deep in your pocket if you get on the wrong side of the code of conduct. That’s been put in place.”

Rangers may have cleaned up their act on the park but the Light Blue legions have found themselves in the dock in recent weeks.

READ MORE: Derek Johnstone: UEFA action must be a watershed moment for the Rangers support

UEFA forced the Gers to close off 3,000 seats for the Europa League victory over Legia Warsaw on Thursday night after sectarian chanting in the first round clash with St Joseph’s.

Those that were absent missed a thrilling night under the floodlights as Morelos scored a dramatic winner that sparked wild scenes of celebration in the stands and amongst Gerrard, his staff and his players.

The same sanction will be in place when group stage football returns to Ibrox next month following offensive singing in Warsaw last week.

And skipper Tavernier hopes there is no escalation in the seriousness of the punishments handed down by the European governing body.

He said: “I’ve never played in a closed door match. I’ve only ever experienced that in a training game or a friendly behind closed doors - and that is different.

“It would have been a completely different game [behind closed doors] but the fans were terrific in the way they supported us.

“They helped us a lot. You want to experience those moments at Ibrox when the winning goal went in on Thursday night.

“Connor Goldson has already said that after the final whistle he told the new boys: ‘This is Ibrox! These are the nights and the atmosphere that you want!’ We want our fans to be on their best behaviour.

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“We don’t want to risk (any repeat of sectarian signing) but the fans were terrific on Thursday and hopefully they will continue behaving. We want them to come to games. We don’t want them to be punished and not be able to come to matches.”

Victory over Legia ensured Rangers maintained their momentum heading into the first Old Firm showdown of the season this weekend.

Tavernier has suffered his fair share of bloody noses against Celtic but he led the Gers to successive wins at Ibrox last term. A third victory could be the most important yet.

He said: “I always looked forward to these games. You always want to prove a point no matter what.

“It’s the biggest fixture of the season when you do play against them so you want to play against them as often as possible. You want to soak up the atmosphere and give the fans the bragging rights. We go into the game full of belief.

“It’s obviously better when you are on the winning side in an Old Firm match. We beat them at Ibrox twice last season.

“We are very hard to play at home when the fans are right behind us. We want it to be the same this Sunday.”