Steven Gerrard has warned his misfiring Rangers stars to shape up - or ship out.

The Ibrox side were beaten 1-0 by Aberdeen in today's Betfred Cup semi final.

Lewis Ferguson's header 12 minutes from time separated the sides in a fiercely contested match which lacked quality and clear cut chances.

And afterwards Gerrard admitted the lack of quality in the final third which cost them victory against Spartak Moscow on Thursday was again evident at Hampden.

Rangers - minus suspended Alfredo Morelos and cup-tied Kyle Lafferty in attack - huffed and puffed throughout the 90 minutes.

But they had a gilt-edged chance to level immediately after Aberdeen broke the deadlock when Umar Sadiq broke through one-on-one with Joe Lewis. However the Nigerian striker's legs gave way as he was almost round the keeper.

A disappointed Gerrard said afterwards: "We hope that people self resflect when they go home and come back and try and show more quality when we are away from Ibrox.

"Up until Thursday night everything's been fine at Ibrox. But we carried Thursday's lack of quality in the final bit through the 90 minutes today because we got in some good areas.

"We either made the wrong decision or showed a serious lack of quality.

"If these players don't step up then it's very simple - we are a big club - the manager goes and finds better quality."

Despite that Gerrard said he took full responsibility for Rangers failure to reach the first final of his tenure.

He said: "It's a very disappointed dressing room.

"I'm out here to take responsibility for that. They're my players, my tactics, my game plan.

"So if there's any finger pointing, point it my way.

"I thought we played well within the game but we didn't have any quality in the last bit of our play very similar to the other night against Spartak.

"So that's what was missing today. I thought we did everything else but create that clear cut chance or them chances. We huffed and puffed and created half chances. But that's not enough in semi finals. You need to create clear cut chances.

"I'm here to take the responsibility that I need to take. I pick the 11. I brought 14 players in in the summer. So everything that's gone on today is me. And I'll take it."