Steven Gerrard defended the tears as he vowed to turn them into Europa League cheers.
The Rangers boss says he loved the reaction of Ryan Jack after their heartbreaking Betfred Cup defeat to Celtic because it showed how much his squad cared.
He reckons criticism of the raw emotion is brutally unjust after performing in an era when players were publicly condemned for being cash rich and uncaring about their clubs.
Rangers can qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League tonight with a point against Young Boys at Ibrox and Gerrard , set to sign a contract extension, has backed them to respond positively from their Old Firm loss.
He said: “I don’t think you can ever criticise a footballer or a team for being visibly upset, not just from a Rangers point of view.
“When I played, football players received extreme criticism about not caring, not being a supporter on the pitch and not having enough heart and desire.
“Folk said it was all about the money and the rewards that come with playing, but you could clearly see what it meant to my players to represent this club and I loved every minute of our reaction.
“Of course I wanted to see my players celebrate. However, what I saw and what I looked at clearly at the final whistle was ‘Who is with me and who is not?’ It’s clear to me those boys in that dressing room are with me.”
Rangers have never lost at home in Europe in 13 matches under Gerrard and he is backing his squad to react in the correct manner and avenge their 2-1 defeat in Bern earlier in the group campaign.
He added: “We can’t have any kind of hangover or anyone carrying Sunday’s result into this game.
“It’s a different competition, a different challenge and we have to be at our best or close to it to get the outcome we want, which is to top the group.
“On the evidence of what I’ve seen this week’s training sessions. I’m confident they’ll be fine.
“The fans will help the players and the players are desperate to change the mood of the supporters.
“If we get everyone on the same page the mood around Rangers could change pretty quickly over 90 minutes if we get the job done.”
Even a defeat could see Rangers progress, so long as Feyenoord win in Porto, but Gerrard is refusing to contemplate anything other than three points that would see his team seeded in the round of 32 draw.
He added: “As long as I represent this club we will never go into Ibrox looking for a draw. Ever. Or away.
“But certainly not at home with 50,000 behind us and the opportunity to top a group. It’s a nice carrot for the players after all they’ve gone through in the last few days.”
