It takes a huge amount of courage, belief and strength to weaken your squad ahead of a multi-million Champions League decider but that is what Gio van Bronckhorst pulled off for the benefit of all at Rangers.
The massive call to banish Alfredo Morelos is not one that would have been taken lightly by the manager but he believed that it was the right course of action and it has paid off.
Rangers were left effectively with no other recognised striker to support Antonio Colak and if PSV had triumphed, there would have been serious questions asked about the Dutchman and the call to leave Morelos at home.
Undeterred, Gio stuck to the decision and behind the scenes, he planned a way for his team to get the job done in Eindhoven.
Managers live and die on the strength of their decisions.
Gio made the ballsy call to drop Morelos, weakening his squad in the process. The discipline had a positive effect on the collective team effort tonight.
CL and jackpot secured with decision vindicated. pic.twitter.com/KdBV3xtLu6
— Graeme Hanna (@graeme818) August 24, 2022
The discipline obviously had a galvanising effect on the Rangers squad because it was a well drilled, committed effort that secured the 1-0 win over PSV and with it, a Rangers return to the prestige and riches of the Champions League for the first time since 2010.
A huge reason for the milestone is Giovanni van Bronckhorst. He got it right on the night and with that, he is vindicated for the decision on Morelos.
The Colombian must have felt rather silly and frustrated watching on from home but the rest is now up to him if he is to write another chapter in his own Rangers story which could now include the Champions League.
A massive respect is owed all round to Gio!