Assessment of this Rangers team refuses to get any easier. Domestically in 2022 there have been dropped points against Dundee United, Ross County and Motherwell and a humbling at Celtic Park. Yet this success over Red Star Belgrade, ultimately a comfortable one despite Serbian opportunity – and opportunity, and opportunity – over two legs, takes Rangers to the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time since 2008.
When the previous round’s victory over Borussia Dortmund is factored in, it is wholly legitimate that supporters of Rangers can dare to dream. At the same time, that is, pondering how last season’s Scottish Premiership dominance feels so far away.