Rangers icon Brian Laudrup is convinced his former team have worked out how to handle the Celtic blueprint under Ange Postecoglou.
And he is certain Gio van Bronckhorst is the man to carry an instant response to the Premiership champions in waiting next season.
The Danish legend has been buoyed by Rangers' displays in the last two fixtures against their fierce rivals - which has resulted in a Scottish Cup semi final win and a draw at Parkhead.
Those rousing efforts come amid a significant push in their bid to reach the Europa League Final ahead of the second leg against Leipzig.
Laudrup expects a summer of change at Ibrox but believes the Dutchman is the man to usher in an exciting new era at his former club.
Speaking in the Daily Mail, he said: "All the talk about Van Bronckhorst not being able to compete with Postecoglou has surely gone. He now has a real handle on what Celtic want to do and the best ways to try and combat it, even with important players missing. That offers a lot of optimism for the future where Rangers are concerned.
"No matter what happens on Thursday night, Van Bronckhorst needs to be invested in. With both faith and finance.
"He deserves to be given the right support and a positive summer transfer window which wasn't the case in January to prove what he can do on his own terms next season.
"The situation with player contracts makes it challenging, but the prize for getting it right could be huge."
Laudrup is quick to admit van Bronckhorst made mistakes domestically but believes there are mitigating circumstances behind their slip behind Celtic.
And he has urged the Rangers board to back their manager in the transfer market to spark an instant response with the Premiership trophy set to cross the city.
He added: "Van Bronckhorst took over in November. He was replacing a popular manager. He didn't have any of his own players and was obviously looking for more options in certain areas, particularly the right wing.
"He has made mistakes, of course he has. Looking back at some of the performances after the winter break, I'm sure he would have done things differently. He's the manager and that's where the buck always stops. Clearly, though, January didn't help him.
"It's too much to say that window decided the title on its own. There have been more aspects at play. For one, you have to give great credit to Celtic's consistency. But they took a real lift from business done in January and Rangers didn't.
"Diallo, Aaron Ramsey, James Sands none of them have made a big enough impact. Van Bronckhorst didn't get an injection of reliable quality and that's something I'm sure people inside Ibrox will reflect upon.
"For now, though, it is all about Thursday night and a shot at history.
"The odds remain against Rangers but Van Bronckhorst and his players are getting used to upsetting predictions. No one should count them out.
"Rangers will have regrets but it would be wrong to pin blame on Gio If Rangers can overturn their first-leg deficit against Leipzig on Thursday, Van Bronckhorst would become the fourth Rangers manager to take charge in a European final after Scot Symon, Willie Waddell and, finally, Walter Smith."
