Jon Flanagan admits he has had to forget about being on first-name terms with former Liverpool colleague Steven Gerrard as he gets used to working under his new Rangers boss.

The full-back has followed his old Anfield team-mate to Glasgow and has been impressed with the way the Champions League winner has settled into the Ibrox job.

Gerrard was the on-field leader during his days as Reds skipper and Flanagan can see similarities in the way he has conducted himself since making the switch into management.

But he has also had to quickly get used to referring to his old friend as ‘boss’ rather than ‘Steven’.

“I think (our relationship is) bound to change,” he said. “He’s the gaffer now. He’s not Steven to me anymore.

“He’s come in, he’s done really well. He’s had a little taste of it at Liverpool with the Under-18s there but all the lads here are really enjoying it and I think he’s done a good job so far.

“He’s the manager and I’m the player now. It’s not as it was as when we were both players.

“But I think he’s doing a great job and I hope it continues.”

Flanagan has mostly operated at left-back since joining this summer but got the chance to play on his favoured right flank when Gerrard brought new signing Borna Barisic in for rested skipper James Tavernier ahead of Sunday’s 2-0 win over Dundee.

The 25-year-old savoured the experience – even if what was brewing into an impressive display was spoiled when Ross McCrorie became the second Gers player in as many weeks to be sent off.

“It was a bit more comfortable on the right side but I’ll play anywhere,” said Flanagan. “I’ve really enjoyed it up here so far. I’ve been here about two months and I think the team are gelling well together.

“Borna has come in and it’s always good to have competition, it’s a long season. I think everyone is going to be needed and we’re all going to have to ready when called upon.

“We were frustrated with the sending-off. It was unfortunate to go down to 10 but I think it would have been a different game and a different scoreline if we had 11 on the pitch.”

Flanagan will sit out Thursday’s Europa League showdown with Maribor after picking up his third booking of the qualifiers in last week’s 3-1 first-leg triumph.

But he has backed his team-mates to progress to the play-offs without him.

He said: “The job is only half done. We’ve got a little bit of belief. They’re still dangerous and we have to be ready to go over there and get the tie done.”