But Gerrard now wants to draw a line under the incident ahead of Thursday's Europa League showdown at Benfica.

"Obviously I'm really disappointed, I think everyone at the club is disappointed with the actions of the two players," Gerrard told Rangers TV.

"It was important the club took decisive action, they were quick to do that which was pleasing to see.

"The players know they've let themselves down and their families, they've also badly let their team-mates down and the supporters. They will be punished, internally, it will be dealt with internally.

"The important thing from my point of view is we draw a line under that. I don't want to kick them even more, they are feeling really down. They are apologetic, remorseful, full of regret – and I think they'll regret it for quite some time.

"They've been suspended, in the short term, and we've spoken to the players since the events. The next time we speak to them is when they come off suspension and after an isolation period.

"They made a bad error of judgement and I think they'll regret it for some time.  It's a building process for both players now going forward.

"Now it's important for me to focus back on the football. The players at the weekend put in a fantastic performance and the headlines after that should have been of positivity.

"The two players have took those headlines and praise away from the team.

"We need to forget about this, move forward and focus on Benfica. The players are going to have to take their medicine like men, and I'm sure at some time they'll have to give their team-mates an explanation."