IT was a night of progression but few pass marks for Rangers. There was one at least – goalkeeper Robby McCrorie – that could be satisfied with both his performance and the overall outcome.

The coming hours will tell if this outing is to be a one-off for McCrorie at present. The coming years will determine if he is to be Rangers’ number one.

This meeting with Alashkert was all about the here and now, though. It may have been a largely forgettable night for Rangers, but it is one that McCrorie will always remember.

Covid issues decimated the Ibrox squad and denied Rangers several of their key players, and manager Steven Gerrard, ahead of the trip to Yerevan. Ultimately, it didn’t cost them as McCrorie and those in front of him secured a place in the Europa League group stages.

Four years ago to the day, McCrorie was making just his ninth senior appearance between the sticks. On that occasion, Cowdenbeath couldn’t find a way to beat him as Berwick earned a 1-0 victory in a League Two clash at Central Park.

The subsequent seasons have seen the keeper break through the century barrier in terms of games played, but few will have meant more than his debut for his boyhood heroes. None, certainly, had as much riding on them.

The situation may have been unenviable for McCrorie as he was pitched in at the eleventh hour, but it also offered an opportunity he had been waiting some time for following stints at Morton, Queen of the South and Livingston.

It was never going to be an evening where he staked a claim to move above Jon McLaughlin in the pecking order. And 90 minutes against such limited opposition wasn’t exactly going to give Gerrard any selection headaches about him replacing Allan McGregor this term.

There was a job to be done, though. In the end, it was one which McCrorie completed with ease and he can be pleased as well as proud after his competitive debut.

By the time Rangers got to the break a goal ahead in the tie and a man up on the park, the final whistle couldn’t come soon enough. It wasn’t much of a spectacle for McCrorie to witness as the champions failed to capitalise on their dominance.

The keeper was involved the main flashpoint, however. He was alert to a pass down the Alashkert left and would get off his line smartly and bravely smother the ball inside the area.

A harmless attack could have had serious ramifications, though, as James Santos disgracefully left his boot in and caught McCrorie on the head. He was shown a second yellow card, but a straight red would have been a more apt punishment for an act of brutality and stupidity that McCrorie thankfully recovered from.

Gary McAllister, the Ibrox assistant manager, had spoken of McCrorie’s growth as a player and a person as he conducted Rangers’ pre-match media conference on Wednesday evening and there were signs of that progression throughout this outing.

He may not have been constantly worked, but he looked an assured presence between the sticks and he was vocal when he needed to be. The danger was minimal, but there was no sense of McCrorie switching off during long periods when the action was all some way in front of him.

A powerful drive from Jose Embalo after 57 minutes was McCrorie’s first proper test. His positioning was sound and hands strong as a solid save was made.

As the clock ticked down and Rangers toiled once again, anger and anxiety levels would have risen amongst supporters, and perhaps staff. Thankfully, Alashkert’s moment would never come.

A clean sheet was good enough in the end for Rangers. McCrorie will hope it is the first of many.