The midweek triumph over Union Saint-Gilloise should be the template that Gio van Bronckhorst returns to, for the Premiership clash against St Johnstone at Ibrox on Saturday.
Out of necessity, Rangers deployed a very offensive line-up against the Belgians with five attackers on the pitch, as well as the contributions of James Tavernier and Borna Barisic from the flanks.
John Lundstram admirably held the fort, whilst Scott Arfield and Tom Lawrence buzzed around him to support Malik Tillman, Ryan Kent and Antonio Colak up top.
After the game, GvB denied that he had overthought the plan in Belgium when the system was all over the place but on the evidence of the second leg, as well as the backing of the capacity Ibrox crowd, it was clear that USG were vulnerable and primed to be attacked. They sat deep and almost held out until half-time, so there are some similarities as to how Callum Davidson’s team are likely to play as the manager acknowledged:
“It’s another home game. Of course, we saw last week against Kilmarnock where we see a team defending in a low block. There won’t be many spaces for us to play in.”
With that in mind, just one sitter in the middle will do and Lundstram is the man for everything to be conducted through.
The faster Rangers move the ball and commit the opposition, the more chances will be created for our talented players. Lawrence and Tillman in particular looked to be settling in more to the Ibrox environment and the St Johnstone game provides another opportunity to increase their impact.
Ahead of the massive Champions League Playoff first leg against PSV on Tuesday, hitting the goals against Saints will increase momentum further on and off the pitch.
Take off the handbrake, Gio.