As predicted by Vital Rangers, Steven Gerrard made wholesale changes to his starting line-up against Lech Poznan, leaving out a host of established and experienced players including his skipper, James Tavernier, who was given a rare seat on the bench.
Getting a proper sighting of Cedric Itten and Bongani Zungu, plus the return of Ianis Hagi, meant that for all that there was a different look to the team, it was no less exciting for those hoping to see the Light Blues progress as group winners with a potential glamour tie in the next round.
A theme to Rangers play this season has been how there has been no let up in intensity or drop in standards regardless of personnel, and tonight was no different, conceding just a couple of half chances that Jon McLaughlin dealt with on his way to a 10th clean sheet in 11 games, ridiculous numbers for a “back-up” – we truly are in safe hands.
Itten grabbed his opportunity with both hands with an impressive opening goal, turning the defender before rifling into the top corner, the Swiss international was, bizarrely, the subject of snide remarks all night from Rob McLean on commentary.
If Gers fans could have picked the goalscorers, few would have been disappointed to see the second go in with a header from the closest range possible by Hagi after Connor Goldson had won the first aerial duel, minutes later he showed exactly how much of a boost the goal was by ghosting past a couple of players before testing the keeper from 30 yards out with a wonderful strike, taking a save that more than matched the effort to keep it out.
With the game won at 2-0, Gerrard gave some game time to his regulars and Nathan Patterson – who made way for Tavernier – can be pleased with his 60 minutes on his first European start, the Scotland youth cap has a bright future ahead of him.
Rangers finished top with a clear two point cushion to Benfica and the most points ever secured by a Scottish team in a group stage, that we should have won our two games against the Portuguese giants really is a sign of how far we’ve come and as Jordan Campbell of The Athletic noted, if we had held on for the wins, we’d be in the middle of a 17 game winning streak.
It can’t be downplayed the difference winning against Poznan and winning the group makes, almost £1.5million better off than if we had lost and came second, for perspective, that’s half of what you get for winning the Scottish Premiership.
Continental football is now on pause until February with the attentions now turned fully to domestic duties and all eyes on the build up to the next big marker – the New Year Derby at Ibrox.