There is little doubt a defining tie awaits.

A cursory glance at the Group A table shows the importance of this double-header, not least in making sure at the very least Rangers qualify for the next stages of the Conference League via a third-place finish.

Nobody at Ibrox will be ready to accept that scenario, especially given the last two years have seen them threaten to gate-crash the final eight of the more prestigious competition.

And Steven Gerrard, a man who is trying to build a managerial CV to take him to the top, will want it to show sustained growth in elite competition, not just for the club, but to sate his own hunger for self-improvement.

The 'be the best version of yourself' mantra that permeates the club extends to the management team too.

A win would clearly put the Ibrox club in a strong position to finish in second place and qualify for a lucrative play-off against a Champions League drop-out.

READ MORE: Nikola Katic in Croatia: Rangers' loan star's table-topping stats, positional weakness and centre-forward cameo

How things pan out will depend much on how seriously Lyon take their match with Sparta in France. The Ligue 1 side have shown themselves to be a measure above their fellow combatants and there's an expectation they will continue to cup a swathe until Rangers arrive in France for the final game, hopefully with them long qualified as group winners and their focus elsewhere.

That's the dream scenario but there's major work to be done both tonight and at Ibrox when Sparta visit later in the month.

Here are three key issues ahead of the game.

The return of Ryan Kent

A man with a big-game mentality who always seems to deliver in Europe, there will be a temptation to throw the winger straight back into the mix.

He had a slow start to the season prior to his injury but you don't half see what he brings to the table when he's gone.

His trickery can open tight defences at any level but his pace in behind is an even more significant weapon, as numerous previous continental victims will testify.

Brondby must to win to have any chance of even third spot and that attacking impetous means they will offer up the thing Kent craves more than anything in football - space to exploit.

All that said, given the length of time he's been injured, you'd imagine Gerrard may resist and use his best player as an impact sub should he need it.

But make no mistake the prospect of a Sakala, Morelos and Kent strike trio - a combination with endless tactical possibilities - will surely be an idea carefully assessed.

Midfield selection issues

Glen Kamara only has a fifty percent chance of making the tie after two knocks in the win at Motherwell left his ankle swollen.

Kent apart, the Finn is arguably the most important player in the squad when European games come around due to his unmatched ability to hold on to the football and use those incredible hips to swivel and dance his way out of trouble.

His press-resistant qualities are a huge part of how mature and confident Gerrard's side has looked in the European theatre over the last four years and there's no coincidence that poor performances against Malmo and Alashkert came when he was suspended.

If he fails to pass a fitness test then Joe Aribo will surely slot into position. He's more creative and arguably more powerful but the Nigerian midfielder is miles away when it comes to defensive nous. Calvin Bassey will have to be more diligent when he makes forays into the Brondby half because he won't have the same level of cover afforded by Kamara.

On the right side, John Lundstram's power and drive make him tailor-made for this kind of game. The former Sheffield United man has suffered a mixed start to life at Ibrox but he's shown enough to make it clear that he's going to be a brilliant signing if he can find a level of consistency.

He's strong as an ox and would add a level of physicality that ensures nobody is going to outmuscle the Rangers midfield.

Such a move would be tough on Scott Arfield who was excellent at the weekend but the manager has rarely been afraid of big calls. 

Of course, if Kamara does make it, Joe Aribo would also offer a more attacking option provided he's not used further forward.

READ MORE: How should Rangers approach Brondby tie? - 'Fire in the stands' and a side in resurgence

Sakala's chance

You don't drop players who are coming off a hat-trick so Fashion Sakala will get another chance to shine.

He's had a mercurial opening few months to his Rangers career but looked electric at Fir Park with the manager commenting there has been a difference in him of late, as if he's beginning to truly settle into life in Govan.

And while Sakala has bought himself time with his superb showing in North Lanarkshire and a lot of goodwill with his effervescent, bubbly personality during interviews, he will soon realise that it all counts for nothing without consistent performances on the pitch.

This is the way of it at Rangers, a far cry from his previous clubs - and that will surely be his biggest adjustment of all.