Rangers swept to an impressive 2-0 victory over Sparta Prague as Giovanni van Bronckhorst made the perfect start.

Alfredo Morelos was the hero after a superb performance and game-clinching double.

Jonny McFarlane assesses the key talking points from the game.

Alfredo Morelos finds his mojo

The Colombian has been the end of some savage criticism in recent days, and justifiably so. Morelos gets a tought time precisely because he’s capable of showings like tonight. This was El Buffalo back to his bustling best, a constant thorn in Sparta’s side and a genuine goal threat from the off. Sometimes his finishing can be wayward and wasteful but tonight he was deadly and made light work of two technically difficult chances. The first was a lovely sweeping finish while the second was gifted by an error, it was still a fine reactive header that he didn’t have time to think about. If van Bronckhorst can bring this Morelos to the party every week, it will likely be the difference between success and failure. 

Bassey shows his chops

The big defender has been seen largely as a left-back at Ibrox but he spent a good section of his youth career at Leicester City in the middle and he looked assured and comfortable throughout. With Leon Balogun struggling for fitness and Filip Helander out for some weeks yet, there is nothing to fear from using the powerful youngster alongside Goldson. There are also obvious elements to his skillset that suggests the potential for it to be an even longer-term switch. The 21-year-old may be a physical specimen but he’s also lightning quick and that pace ensures the defence has some recovery potential playing a high line against rapid attackers. It’s perhaps a shame this wasn’t considered as an option to harness the explosive running of Martin Boyle at the weekend, but spilt milk and all that. 

Gio makes a difference

There was a train of thought that suggested things had gone a touch flat tactically under Steven Gerrard. The last months of his reign were marked by a lack of attacking flair that was becoming concerning despite Rangers’ lofty perch at the top of the Scottish Premiership. And tonight’s game will surely be more grist to the mill of that hot take because Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side looked much more like the Rangers of 55 than the faint shadow we have seen this season.

They pressed and harried with a hurried intensity that suggested they had no intention of going seven games on the trot having lost the opening goal. With wingers playing much closer to the touchline, Rangers looked full of menace and created a cacophony of chances. His only regret will be that the game wasn't put out of Sparta's sight sooner. 

The Dutchman will have been delighted to have seen a tangible response from his players after just two days on the training ground. They looked liberated by some new ideas and the performance bodes well for the future.