STEVEN GERRARD has praised captain James Tavernier for the way he responded to his Ibrox critics as he leads Rangers into a hugely significant run of fixtures at home and abroad.

Tavernier came under fire following high-profile mistakes against Young Boys and Hearts but was given the full backing of his boss.

That faith is now being repaid as the 28-year-old has raised his game and Gerrard said: "I admire the way James has gone about it. He has turned the focus up even more.

"He is working even harder. He is only human. He has gone to the well for me. He has never missed a training session or a game. It was only natural that at some stage he was going to have a dip in form or make mistakes in certain games. He’s only human.

"But what he has done is turn the focus up. He has knuckled down, he is focused and he is doing everything he can to play through it.

"At that time, I think James needed me. He needed the backing of me and my staff and the players around him and that’s what he got.

"He is a captain who is there for you in every single game and training session.

"He is probably not your natural captain in terms of vocals or noise, which isn’t important for me.

"It’s about the standards and the levels you set on a daily basis and in the games. That’s what’s important to me. Normally if you do that then the rest will follow. "