It was a night of redemption in Belgrade in the Marakana.
The two players who emerged with flying colours were two who have frequently been on the end of the most criticism from elements of the Rangers support this season John Lundstram and Allan McGregor.
Lundstram had the thankless task of trying to help out the defence and win the ball back in midfield, which basically led to him doing 40-yard shuttles for most of the night, usually reliable players like Joe Aribo, Alfredo Morelos and Glen Kamara struggled for long periods to keep possession making his job all the more difficult.
The former Sheffield United midfielder imposed himself physically but also showed a composure beyond his experience at this level and rarely wasted the ball, attempting to drive his team forward whenever he could, he’s now, arguably, the first name on the team-sheet in midfield.
And as for Allan McGregor…
He has been culpable domestically on more than one occasion but there is absolutely no doubt that we wouldn’t be in the quarter-finals without him, it’s that simple.
The penalty save in the first-leg followed by three top drawer stops in Serbia, it was a performance reminiscent of Werder Bremen in 2008, Jon McLaughlin would have been better suited in terms of trying to build out from the back and for beating the Red Star press but McGregor is, arguably, the best shot stopper we’ve ever had.
Mentality is a word spoken about frequently when it comes to the essential qualities needed to be a success for Rangers and this pair have shown that they have it in spades.