THE memories of Malmo were put to the back of the mind as Rangers created history on the road to Seville and reaped the rewards of their Europa League exploits.
But those nightmare recollections of Champions League failure are now prominent once again as Giovanni van Bronckhorst prepares for two defining fixtures that will go some way to shaping another campaign at Ibrox.
Rangers waited a decade to have the chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Over the course of 180 wretched minutes at the start of last season, they saw their dreams turn into nightmares.
The first leg defeat in Sweden wasn’t a disaster in its own right as Steven Davis salvaged something from a night that could have been far worse. A week later, their fears played out as Steven Gerrard’s side crumbled at Ibrox.
With a goal lead and a man advantage at the break, there were no excuses for Rangers but two strikes from Antonio Colak – a man who may be even more familiar to supporters sometime soon – saw Gerrard’s side eliminated as they failed on the continent for the first time.
Rangers had ended the previous season on the ultimate high and as invincible champions but they were caught resting on their laurels. It was a gamble not to speculate to accumulate and it backfired in costly fashion against the Swedes.
Gerrard felt let down by the Ibrox board and relationships were damaged irrevocably. The plans he had, the money he wanted spent, ultimately didn’t come to fruition and Rangers didn’t build from their position of strength.
Van Bronckhorst’s side returned to pre-season training this week with John Souttar as the only new face in the group. On Monday, they will head to Portugal as preparations for the campaign – which begins away to Livingston on Saturday, July 30 – are stepped up once again.
That is the date that is circled in the calendar. The Champions League one just a couple of days later is even more significant, though, and means a whole lot more both on and off the park.
These fixtures, as they found out the hard way, are not ones that can be approached with a team that is undercooked or understrength. Twelve months on from Malmo, Rangers must show that they have learned their lessons.
The campaign that followed could never have been predicted and the agony of missing out on a European triumph still lingers. The defeat also compounded another issue, though, as Rangers were denied an automatic place in the group stages of the Champions League this term.
A spot in Pot One – alongside the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich – would have been earned. And all the benefits, in terms of prize money, prestige and a greater chance of qualifying from their section, would have been laid out in front of Rangers.
That is the price of failure after falling short against Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers are now weighing up the costs as they attempt to pull up a seat at the top table of European football once again.
Seville was, of course, their second shot at such a prize. Having failed to defend their Premiership title during a largely abject league campaign, Rangers undermined their efforts on the continent over the last four seasons.
Scotland’s increased standing abroad, and their healthy co-efficient ranking, is mostly down to the achievements of Gerrard and Van Bronckhorst as reputations, both collectively and individually, have been restored and enhanced. But the plaudits were not topped with a prize and Rangers now find themselves on the brink of another make-or-break tie.
Had title 55 been followed with a 56th last term, then Van Bronckhorst would have time on his hands and money in his pocket as he counts down to the new campaign. As it stands, both of those are of the essence at Ibrox.
The draw for the third qualifying round will be made on Monday, July 18. The first fixtures are pencilled in for August 2 and 3, with the return games the following week as a place in the play-offs is up for grabs.
The good news for Van Bronckhorst is that his side will be seeded for both ties and a meeting with one of Monaco, Sturm Graz, Union Saint-Gilloise or the winner of the match involving Midtjylland and either Fenerbahce or AEK Larnaca lies in wait. A place in Pot Three could even be earned if both rounds are negotiated.
To do that, Rangers will need to be at it from the first whistle this term. Right now, there is an understandable unease amongst some supporters about the state of Van Bronckhorst’s squad and the ever-decreasing number of days that any arrivals will have to ensure they hit the ground running at Ibrox.
It is more likely than not that Joe Aribo and Alfredo Morelos will leave this summer, but the timing is the biggest problem for Rangers. The cash from their sales would help bring players in, yet their suitors are not under the same calendar constraints and Rangers are starting from a weak negotiating position given the contract situations of two key assets.
In terms of those that have signed, Allan McGregor has doubters to win over and Scott Arfield and Steven Davis must prove that time has not caught up with them at the highest level. Had Connor Goldson not penned a new deal, the pressure would really have been building in terms of Rangers’ recruitment drive.
A goal-scoring winger to play off the right and a striker are the bare minimums for Rangers in this window. Given the business that is likely to be done, a left-back and midfielder, plus another forward, will need to be added to Van Bronckhorst’s ranks.
Banking the Champions League riches would make that process significantly smoother, but Rangers know all too well how precarious a position that is. If they make the same mistake twice, fans who haven’t forgotten Malmo will not forgive second time around.
The last week of June is no time to press the panic button. Time is still on their side, but it will soon become of the essence as the matches to ensure Rangers are fully up to speed come and go over the summer schedule.
The buzzword around Rangers’ transfers is that they are ‘relaxed’. Results will ultimately determine whether that position was right or wrong.
