RANGERS nursed a Champions League hangover throughout their Group A campaign but ultimately ended it with nothing to celebrate as the nights before proved painful to recall on the mornings after.
It will take time for the European exploits to be forgotten about but the focus must be on what is to come rather than what has been if the lasting effects are not to damagingly linger at Ibrox.
The domestic response to continental adversity has been positive this term. Dundee United and St Mirren were beaten in the aftermath of the defeats to Napoli and Liverpool respectively, while Motherwell were overcome just days after the record-breaking night of humiliation at home to the Reds.
Last week, Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side recovered from losing in Italy with a fine performance to see off Aberdeen and now that situation must repeat itself as Rangers head to St Johnstone on the back of their 3-1 reverse to Ajax on Tuesday evening.
It was a result that confirmed Rangers' berth at the foot of the standings. More embarrassingly, it saw them landed with the unwanted title of the worst-ever group stage outfit after a six game whitewash.
The Champions League experience has been chastening for Van Bronckhorst's side and regular defeats in midweek have piled on the pressure at the weekends as Rangers have struggled to build momentum and confidence over the course of the campaign.
That need not be an issue now that the section can be consigned to the history books but James Sands knows the ultimate ambition must be to return to the biggest stage as quickly as possible. The best way to do that is to regain the Premiership title.
“We were a little surprised by the quality, but we got better as the group went on which is a positive," Sands said as he reflected on his maiden Champions League outings in the aftermath of the loss to Ajax. “Yes, definitely [it has whetted our appetite for more].
"For a lot of us it was our first time playing in the competition and coming up against that calibre of player. This is where we want to be and hopefully we can be here next year.
“We have tried to really separate the two competitions (the Premiership and the Champions League). We have been trying to make sure we just focus on them individually.
“We had a great result against Aberdeen at the weekend and we are not going to let this get us down too much. We need to try and make sure we build on the win against Aberdeen.
“It has been quite difficult [to block out the European results domestically]. Especially when you are playing games every two or three days.
“The schedule makes it especially tough but the manager has been great in that regard. He has been big in helping us move on and focus on the league."
It is only natural that Rangers have been feeling down and demoralised at times in recent weeks as the matches with Liverpool, Napoli and Ajax proved gruelling to play in and harrowing to watch.
Questions have been asked of Van Bronckhorst's transfers, training and tactics and the Dutchman finds himself under the spotlight as he seeks to end the first stage of the season with much-needed wins over St Johnstone, Hearts and St Mirren.
The schedule has been punishing - both mentally and physically - so far this term. Now it could prove beneficial if Rangers can finally build up a head of steam under Van Bronckhorst.
Sands said: “That is the case with the games coming thick and fast. You cannot really stop and think.
“It seems like just yesterday we we playing PSV so it does go by quickly.
“He (Van Bronckhorst) is trying to help us focus on this being a learning process.
“He has been trying to take the emotion out of it a bit and for us to try and use these experiences positively in the league.
“This is where it helps having a manager who was a player at the top level.
“He has been through all these things so he can share his experiences. We all look up to him because of the player he was."
The visit of Ajax this week was a chance to salvage points and pride from a group that has seen Rangers all too regularly outplayed and outclassed as the step up proved beyond their capabilities this term.
The fall from a Europa League final to their new ignominious title in the Champions League has hurt supporters and acted as a barometer of just where Rangers are at present in a continental sense.
Those mistakes must now be parked and put to one side. It is all about the Premiership and domestic success going forward for a side that have much to prove this term.
“It is a learning experience for all of us and hopefully we can use it to help us in the league," Sands said. “We still have a chance to win some trophies this season.
“Playing against the top teams you have to be right on it for 90 minutes. In a lot of the games we have had good spells for 20 minutes or half an hour.
“But, we have then lost focus and you get punished with two or three goals. I think that is probably the biggest takeaway for us from the Champions League.
“I think it is a big step up from the Europa League. We did well in that competition last year but it seems we have missed a step and gone straight in with the very best teams in the Champions League.
“It has been an experience for all of us and we have to learn from it. I think it has been a bit of a surprise for everyone.
“I believe we have three of the best teams in Europe in our group so it was extremely tough."
