THEY say you are only as good as your last game. Rangers must now prove that their finest performance of the campaign was a sign of things to come rather than a one-off in Germany.
Victory over Borussia Dortmund stands out as the finest night of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s managerial career at Ibrox. Indeed, it will go down as one of the most remarkable results any Rangers side has ever recorded.
The bar was raised to levels that few would have believed possible. It has now been set and time will tell if Rangers are able to reach it again during what remains of their domestic and European campaigns.
If a win like that doesn’t inspire confidence and belief and enhance a sense of belonging, then nothing will. If Dortmund can be taken on and overcome, then no other challenge that Rangers will face this term should daunt them.
A trip to Dundee United on Sunday, for example, should not be one which worries Rangers to any great extent but the champions will be wary when they head to Tannadice.
All the praise and plaudits since full-time at the Westfalenstadion have been well-earned, but they will be meaningless if Van Bronckhorst’s side go on to lose ground in the title race when they return to domestic duty.
Turning on the style over 90 minutes against Dortmund is one thing. Being able to consistently hit the heights over the course of the season – and especially during the run down to the medals being handed out – is quite another.
Consistency will be key for Rangers. Thursday night will live long in the memory, but the impact is not as profound as the history books being written when silverware is won.
The mathematics and permutations surrounding the title race are simple. If Rangers win all of their matches, then title 56 will be delivered and a shot at Champions League glory will await next season.
If Van Bronckhorst’s side can come close to replicating their showing from Thursday night – one of nous and bravery, of quality and class – then there is no reason why the remaining Premiership fixtures cannot be ticked off in the coming weeks.
Van Bronckhorst spoke post-match about the belief that his squad had, both individually and collectively, before they took to the field against a side who were being tipped as potential Europa League winners this term.
But even as he offered the praise that his players deserved, there was a hesitance to go too far in his assessment. He knows, after all, that the job is far from done.
He urged Rangers to enjoy the moment but there was no chance of anyone in Light Blue getting ahead of themselves as Van Bronckhorst shifted the attentions to the meeting with United.
Those messages are perhaps part of his natural demeanour and his, at times, reserved outlook as a boss. They were a reminder to everyone that one result at this stage of the season – and even one was remarkable as this – doesn’t make a successful team.
Supporters were right to ponder just where a performance like that had come from. Where, for example, was that kind of showing at Parkhead just a couple of weeks ago?
Rangers have now shown what they are capable of, they have proven just what can be achieved when Van Bronckhorst’s tactical approach is synchronised with the talents of his players. Now they must do it again and again.
Not every fixture this season will require Rangers to be as good as they were against Dortmund. Next Thursday at Ibrox will be one such occasion but the Europa League cannot be a distraction to the Premiership.
The last game was one of Rangers’ best. It is their next one that is ultimately the most important, however, for a support that demand medals as well as memories.
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