The versatile star banged in the first senior goal of his career by firing home from close range in the Europa League last-16 tie which ended 2-2 with Benfica.
Tom Lawrence’s header gave Philippe Clement’s side an early lead before John Souttar was judged to have handled inside the area on the stroke of half-time.
Angel Di Maria netted before Sterling put the Gers back in front, only for the unfortunate Connor Goldson to nod into his own net.
Sterling was thrilled to open his Gers account and believes they can be pleased with their Lisbon showing.
Speaking to Rangers TV, he said: "I told the boys before that I was saving my first goal for a big game in Europe.
"I saw Fabio Silva cut back on his right foot and I knew he was going to put it into the box.
"So, I made a late dart from the edge of the box and I didn't think anyone would track me and it found its way to me and I was in the right place at the right time.
"It was just before the break and gave us a lot of confidence going into half time and it crushed the momentum they had.
"We had some unforced errors tonight that cost us for their goals, but all-in-all we played well and we have given ourselves a chance next week at home.”
Rangers impressed in the Europa League clash with it all to play for at Ibrox next Thursday night.
But Sterling insists Clement’s men will forget all about their Euro adventure with their full focus turning to Sunday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final meeting with Hibernian at Easter Road.
He added: "We tried to be defensively sound and I thought we did well dealing with what they were bringing.
"In the second half you could see we were a bit leggy and when we got the ball we were turning it over a bit too quickly.
"But hopefully next week we can do better but overall we did well.
"There are a lot of positives to take from this game but we have Hibs next and we want to go far in that Cup and get to a final.
"So we will dust ourselves down, this game is finished and we go onto the next one from now."