Rangers ripped Red Star Belgrade apart on another epic Europa League night at Ibrox to take a giant step towards their first UEFA quarter final in 14 years.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst was in dreamland as his Light Blues side romped to a 3-0 win against the Serbian and former European champions.
Skipper James Tavernier fired them in front from the penalty spot before Alfredo Morelos added a second to send Ibrox wild after just 15 minutes.
Allan McGregor - in inspired form - pulled off a stunning penalty save from Aleksandar Katai before Leon Balogun nodded in a third in the second half.
It was another night savour for the fans as those who shelled out £52 got value for money with a brilliant display.
Barring a collapse in the Marakana in the return, Gers will take their place in the draw for the last eight next week
That has proved too big an ask in the last couple of seasons after going out to Bayer Leverkusen and Slavia Prague but they made it look easy this time around.
Van Bronckhorst’s task now is to make sure there is no more Jekyll & Hyde Gers when they return to domestic matters with successive trips to Dundee in the Scottish Cup and Scottish Premiership.
Rangers started with the line-up that finished against Borussia Dortmund and Van Bronckhorst would have been hoping for a repeat of that epic night.
It was the visitors who threatened first and they almost had the perfect start when main man Katai had the ball in the net - but he was flagged offside and that would be a familiar story for the home side.
Gers were struggling to find their rhythm in those very early stages but the game turned with just 10 minutes on the clock.
Ryan Kent, in an almost identical situation to the penalty he won for the opener against Borussia Dortmund in the previous round, was caught by Slavoljub Srnic’s trailing leg.
It was reviewed at length before Dutch whistler Serdar Gozubuyuk checked the monitor before pointing to the spot.
Ibrox erupted and up stepped Tavernier to send a brilliant effort from 12 yards high into the top corner for the perfect penalty.
But Red Star kept coming and Katai had the ball in the net again but was again flagged offside and that bailed out McGregor who had spilled the ball.
And Gers rubbed salt into their wounds as they doubled their lead for an incredible opening quarter of an hour.
Ryan Jack floated a ball into the box which was just too high for John Lundstram and as the ball was cleared it fell to Morelos who lashed the ball home.
Van Bronckhorst couldn’t have asked for any better but the Serbs kept coming back and won a penalty of their own when Jack brought down Mirko Ivanic.
Jack was booked and up stepped Katai - 23 goals to his name so far this season - but McGregor threw himself down to his right to make a stunning one-handed save.
It was a breathless first half and Glen Kamara had a chance of a third with the Finn’s shot flying just over.
And the start to the second half was just as frantic as the home side grabbed a third five minutes after the restart.
Tavernier was the creator with a corner swung in from the right and Balogun leapt to head home.
Connor Goldson almost followed his central defensive partner onto the scoresheet with a carbon copy goal but his header from Tavernier's corner was cleared off the line.
Gers tired in the latter stages and Red Star looked to take advantage with Guelor Kanga crashing a shot off the crossbar.
And they thought they had that consolation they so desperately needed when El Faroud Ben had the ball in the net with a few minutes left but yet again the flag was up for offside.
But Goldson should have finished the tie as a contest when he headed wide right at the death and he will be hoping that doesn't come back to haunt him.
Here's five talking points from Ibrox Stadium.
Seville dream on?
Rangers fans watched bitter rivals Celtic depart Glasgow in their thousands for the UEFA Cup final in Seville in 2003.
And maybe, just maybe, they will start believing that they could be going to the Andalusian capital themselves in the same competition.
Having seen off Borussia Dortmund they're now looking good for a quarter-final place and there is cause for optimism.
Okay, they might not be booking flights for Spain just yet but why shouldn’t they be feeling confident?
Throw in the fact the last time they faced Red Star it was the season they reached the UEFA Cup final.
Awesome Allan defies doubters
Allan McGregor kept clean sheets in both legs the last time Rangers faced Red Star Belgrade - and is the only survivor from those games in 2007.
And the 40-year-old was at his vintage best when he needed to be against the Serbian champions.
McGregor produced a sensational penalty save and another big stop from Ohi Omoijuanfo on the stroke of half-time.
It comes at a time when he has come in for some criticism, and even calls for him to be dropped following some high profile mistakes.
But he showed character to bounce back from that and yet again showed his quality with a big performance.
It’s VARy good
No wonder Giovanni van Bronckhorst repeatedly calls for video technology to be introduced into Scottish football.
Rangers have VAR to thank for getting some decisions spot on in Europe this season - while cursing its absence domestically.
On three occasions early on in this game it was used with each decision going Rangers’ way as Red Star Belgrade were left frustrated.
Ryan Kent won his penalty after a lengthy review while Aleksandar Katai had a couple of goals chopped off for offside and they had a THIRD flagged late on.
Red Star fading
The men from Belgrade aren’t the force they were when they were crowned European champions in 1991.
But it’s unlikely the Serbian champions will ever produce a team as good as that with the likes of Darko Pancev, Robert Prosinecki and Dejan Savicevic.
This is the first time they have reached the the last-16 of a UEFA competition in 30 years so it’s a big deal for them.
However, Dejan Stankovic’s men are still a more than decent outfit and the fact they aren’t the force they once were shouldn’t take anything away from Gers result.
Child’s play for Tav
In the week that he celebrated becoming a dad, James Tavernier was spot on yet again with a brilliant penalty.
The Rangers captain is so confident from 12 yards and despatched a postage stamp penalty.
Tavernier welcomed his daughter into the world earlier this week and celebrated with the Bebeto-style baby celebration.
The 30-year-old has now stuck away seven of his eight penalties this season and, given Red Star missed one at the other end, that is a crucial asset to have.
