As Rangers eye a shot at Champions League glory, it’s not just prestige which will come with defeating PSV Eindhoven.
Heck, it’s not just the £13.5m in prize money either.
Michael Beale’s new-look Gers outfit proved they have the guts in front of a raucous Ibrox in what was a tangible step in belief in the club’s new stars who joined this summer.
There’s a magic in Rangers when the commitment and quality on the park matches the commitment and quality of the support off it and there were flickers of that symbiosis against PSV.
It’s a powerful combination which might not have the full force of Ibrox behind it in the Netherlands but which will be supported by a substantial travelling contingent.
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Not only did the 2-2 draw with Dutch side give Rangers fans belief in what Michael Beale is trying to do at Ibrox – even with all the gears we’ve still got to click up – but it is sure to give this newly formed side the belief they need to go out and win big games.
There is genuine quality in Rangers’ ranks, both goals prove it, and whilst PSV will be a tall order to overcome doing so can set up this side for a successful season.
Whilst medals are not handed out in August, for Michael Beale’s team to clear the first major hurdle of their Ibrox tenures it will set up a positive stepping stone into the season beyond the international break.
Champions League qualification v PSV can springboard Rangers’ season
With a first Old Firm to follow the clash in Eindhoven, and the transfer window rolling to a close, we could be in for quite the week.
First up for Rangers is a trip to Ross County with the Ibrox side’s rude awakening at Rugby Park surely shocking this side into focus ahead of a tough enough trip to Dingwall.
With the League Cup now within Rangers’ sights – Kilmarnock having evened up the Old Firm score this season – the disaster of that trip to Ayrshire is now being rebounded with, dare I say, optimism.
Qualification for the Champions League at the expense of PSV isn’t just about the chance to play amongst Europe’s elite for this Rangers team.
More than this, qualification for the tournament will be the first major achievement for this new-look Rangers side and can be the springboard for a season of success.