In a way it is curious that European football has provided salvation for Rangers in recent times. In 2011 aggregate defeats by Malmö and Maribor at least accelerated financial implosion that crystallised six months later. The 2017 Europa League exit at the hands of Progrès Niederkorn was compounded by the sight of the Rangers manager, Pedro Caixinha, gesticulating at irate supporters while standing in a bush. A club that prides itself on stature had been reduced to a laughing stock.
With time, and managerial change, has come stark Rangers improvement against foreign opposition. Steven Gerrard oversaw the steady raising of standards in the Europa League before Giovanni van Bronckhorst guided his team to the final last May.
