Rangers interim boss Steven Davis insists he has to take "some responsibility" for the defeat to Aris Limassol in the Europa League.

The Ibrox side lost 2-1 to the Cypriot underdogs as the Northern Irishman's tenure in the dugout got off to a tough start.

And the 38-year-old was keen to take the pressure off the players as he put the defeat on his shoulders.

He said: "It was a really difficult night because we felt a real opportunity to come here and build on the Betis game.

"I think we caused a lot of our own problems in the game. Obviously, with the two goals we give away we're really disappointed with and when that happens you have a mountain to climb.

"Firstly I've got to take some responsibility. It was a really disappointing night. In the first half we kept trying to play in the middle of the pitch when it wasn't really on, they were good at getting transitions from that with the pace they had up front which caused us problems all night. 

READ MORE: Kris Boyd delivers brutal Rangers verdict after Aris defeat

"Whenever you go behind in a second half you must throw some caution to the wind at certain points. We tried to simplify the game really, trying to get the ball in behind, get it wide and cross the ball into the box and ultimately we didn't do enough to take something from the game."

Despite the result, Davis was keen to stress the Rangers gave everything on the field and that he could not fault their effort.

"In terms of the effort of the players, I thought they tried to keep going till the end and in terms of the energy they put in, I couldn't ask for any more in that respect," he continued.

"Everyone is trying to do the right thing in many ways. There wasn't a lack of effort, we'd never question that from the dressing room but it is a really difficult moment that everyone is in.

"When that happens you maybe start to make the wrong decision and things like that. I take a lot of responsibility and I'm happy to do that.

"It's my role and I'm in here to try and support the players as much as possible and give them the opportunity to try and get back to where we want to be.

"Sunday's coming up and it's a really quick turnaround. We're hurting from tonight but it's important as a group we stick together."