Borna Barisic says Rangers still believe in Europa League progress

Borna Barisic insists Rangers will travel to Seville with belief that they can secure Europa League football despite a “nervous” display against Aris Limassol on Thursday night.

The Light Blues fell behind after 28 minutes to a Shavy Babicka goal before Ross McCausland, who had replaced Todd Cantwell in the first half, levelled after the break with his first Gers goal.

Philippe Clement remains unbeaten in nine games as Rangers boss but there were boos at half-time and at the end of a below par performance from frustrated fans.

Rangers moved on to eight points, one behind Real Betis whom they play in the final Group C game in Spain on December 14 and with Sparta Prague on seven points, only victory can guarantee progression in the Europa League albeit there is the safety net of the Europa Conference League.

Ahead of the home game against St Mirren on Sunday, the left-back said: “As you can see now everything is open.

“We have secured Europe for sure after Christmas but obviously we want to go in the Europa League.

“We are going to Seville to play against Betis, a top opponent, it will be hard for sure but we believe in ourselves that we can do that.

“Yes, we were a little bit nervous at some moments (against Aris) and maybe didn’t make the right passes.

“We need to analyse. We need to be calm in the situation and make better passes, especially in the final third and then punish the opponent, then it will be much easier for us to play if we score one or two goals earlier.

“We didn’t do that but we did some good things and we need to keep positive.

“The team can’t change overnight or in two or three weeks.

“We showed some good football in the last few weeks, with high-intensity press and running much more, doing things together. But you can’t change overnight. We still have a lot of work to do and need to focus on ourselves.”