Life at Ibrox, both on and off the park, can take some getting used to. Thankfully for Cyriel Dessers, the demands and the levels of Rangers have not come as a shock to the system.
It takes many component parts to mould a successful Rangers player, and certainly a successful Rangers striker. Having the technical ability and tactical nous to operate at the required standard is all fine and well, but they can become worthless attributes if they are not combined with the prerequisite mentality to handle a unique, challenging environment.
For those that have only just signed on the dotted line and joined Michael Beale’s side, the opening days of the campaign will have been enlightening and interesting. In many ways, it has been a crash course in all things blue as supporters have had their first look at the new recruits and the players have learned just how passionate and pressing the punters can be.
The reaction to the defeat at Kilmarnock spoke volumes. As the noise level was turned up several decibels outside of the club, Beale had to find a way to ensure his side kept calm and carried on after the worst possible start to their Premiership title bid.
Wednesday evening and the visit of Servette offered Rangers the chance to make amends. It was one that they took, but not in the comprehensive manner that was expected, or perhaps required.
A 2-1 home win over a side that played the last half an hour a man down wasn’t how many saw the night ending after a James Tavernier penalty and Dessers strike had put Rangers in control just 15 minutes in.
A start that was full of purpose and intent wasn’t maintained. It did, though, offer a glimpse for a demanding support that are still waiting to see Beale’s side move through the gears this season.
"That's what we wanted,” Dessers said of the bright opening period against the Swiss. "Of course after the loss on Saturday we were not a s*** team or anything like that.
"We knew we had to come out here strong and show the fans what we can give them and what we can do as a team and especially the first half hour I think we showed that.
"That's only the beginning. We are going to grow in fitness and relationships and as a team and it looks very promising.
"At Feyenoord, a similar club, the fans can react very emotional. But that's what you want, you don't want to be at a club where everybody just shrugs it off after a loss.
"You want an intense club and you get it in a positive way like [Wednesday] when you play good and that's what you need after a tough loss. You get a reaction and at a big club like Rangers that is normal."
It was to prove a mixed night for Dessers. He was in the right place at the right time to score as he converted a Borna Barisic cross from close range but was later left bemused after being penalised for handball as Servette were given a route back into the game and the tie.
The match minutes that he got under his belt will stand him in good stead and he should be sharper come the return leg next week as Rangers now focus on the visit of Livingston.
Dessers savoured his first goal for Beale’s side. If he is to establish himself at Ibrox, and if Rangers are to achieve success this season, then it must the first of many for the Nigerian.
"It is an amazing feeling to score your first goal for Rangers at Ibrox,” Dessers said. “The atmosphere, the fans, was amazing. Overall it is a good night for us.
"Servette is a good team, a tricky team. I saw them over two nights against Genk and Genk are a really good team and they knocked them out so you know what's coming and you could see that.
"We dominated, we could have scored more maybe but this will keep us on our toes for next week.
"Of course I came in later so I still need some time. This was the first time I played more than 60 minutes so I got a bit sloppy so that is a thing to learn from.
"Overall I had some really good moments, sometimes sloppy but that is all part of it. I am happy with this performance. I am going to grow as an individual but also in the connection with the other players but also as a team as well so I am confident of that."
In terms of those relationships, there will be few that are more important for Rangers over the course of the campaign than the one between Dessers and Danilo.
The duo spent a fleeting few days together on the books of Feyenoord last summer before Dessers made the switch to Cremonese. Now reunited at Ibrox, Beale needs both to deliver.
Significant sums have been spent on Dessers, Danilo and Sam Lammers and the return on the investment will be measured in goals and medals come the end of the campaign.
"Good,” Dessers said when asked about his partnership with Danilo. “I liked it a lot. Together with Sam and the other players coming off the bench, they are all really good players and it is easy to play together.
"We get a lot of freedom from the gaffer and we need to use it. This relationship needs to grow and I am sure it will grow and we can benefit from each other a lot.
"I think it was only one week [that I spent with Danilo at Feyenoord]. Of course I know him from the Dutch league and he is a really nice guy, a good player as well and I think it can be really exciting if we can grow as a partnership and hopefully both benefit from it and both score goals."
The next chance that Dessers and Danilo have to impress will come on Saturday as Rangers look to get their first Premiership win on the board by overcoming Livingston.
As ever at this stage of the campaign, the matches are now coming thick and fast. The trip to Geneva on Tuesday evening is already a defining one for Beale and his new-look squad.
Rangers could, and perhaps should, have ended Servette’s European campaign at the first time of asking. Second time around, there is no room for error.
"Of course, if you can choose you want to go with a bigger lead but like I said this will keep us on our toes,” Dessers said.
"You cannot take anything for granted in Europe and we will need to go there strong and need a god performance to hopefully knock out Servette.
"Hopefully we can have a start like [Wednesday] when we grab them by the throat and hopefully we can score a fast goal and get into our game, get some confidence and grow in to the game."
