REFLECTING on his side’s most complete performance of the season two weeks ago in the Ibrox media room, Steven Gerrard was already looking towards today.

Knowing the trip to Brondby presented an opportunity to build on a convincing 2-0 win in the home reverse he reaffirmed the need to ‘replicate’ the performance.

To ensure the visit of Sparta Prague remained ‘really interesting’ in matchday five - it was acknowledged a result in Copenhagen was required.

Gerrard conducted his pre-match interview pitch side in Denmark, speaking over a stadium brimming with atmosphere, in which he gave his men a confident appraisal. “They’ve not played Rangers,” he stated in response to Brondby’s improved spell since that Ibrox bout.

He talked with enthusiasm about the space his side could be gifted in a game the hosts needed to win. Adding he wanted Rangers to “be aggressive in the mid-zone” and “capitalise when they [Brondby] take risks” with a fast and intentional start. It was clear he saw the pattern of the game suiting his side, who had looked so fluid in space on Sunday.

The plan then was clearly not to make three substitutions 10 minutes on from the restart – which would prove the catalyst for a route back into the game via Ianis Hagi, compensating for Leon Balogun’s own goal. It was more fundamental change than in-game tactical tweak – and yet it worked.

For a short period of time from kick-off, the game plan seemed well in swing. Alfredo Morelos had the ball in the net but a goal was ruled out - with James Tavernier’s corner having crossed the line upon delivery.

Traps were set centrally with angled runs from Fashion Sakala restricting the host’s ability to open up the pitch. An early regain made by Steven Davis led to Joe Aribo playing in the Zambian as the travelling side so nearly painted the picture of the game Gerrard and co had scripted.

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The prediction that the hosts couldn’t ‘jump on us’ without sacrificing space rang true. It also felt inevitable during that period that the Ibrox side would once more exploit Brondby’s zonal marking system from corners. Morelos’ shot which flashed by the near post gave further cause for warning.

Both he and Sakala were booked during that period, however. As the Danish champions grew into the game, the aggression from that pair thusly had to be tempered. The pace began to drop and the first-half played out with Brondby firmly in control.

Ironically, after looking so vulnerable from corners themselves, the home side took the lead from one. A comical own-goal by Balogun put them 1-0 up just before the break.

Early exchanges had to that point offered false hope of an energetic, incisive display. It was quite the drop off from the controlled demonstration Rangers had performed when the two team’s met 14 days ago.

A change was needed to reignite the game - on 55 minutes Gerrard made three. Ianis Hagi, Kemar Roofe and Ryan Kent replaced Arfield, Sakala and Morelos. Aribo took up a deeper role as the whole outlook of the team changed.

Kent on his return to the side entered with a nutmeg, before Hagi’s reverse into Roofe so nearly created a clear-cut chance. A first-half front three that had looked so fluid at the weekend was far blunter on the night, their replacements all helped turn the tide.

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It was quick, instinctive combination play from Aribo into the feet of Kent that allowed the Englishman to drive at Brondby’s core. Hagi rode the defensive line’s shoulder and upon receiving, swivelled his hips to send a right-footed effort into the far corner.

All game, Gerrard had wanted someone to grab the opportunity of space and on his return to the first team after a month and a half on the sidelines - Kent did just that.

Thereafter the game could have turned entirely. Roofe made a poor decision to not cut the ball back late on while Aribo went close with a header. Calvin Bassey then failed to find the goal from the same area Balogun had unwittingly earlier on.

Sparta Prague’s defeat in Lyon means their visit to Glasgow is very much a fight for second place, until matchday six. Only then will tonight be properly assessed as either an important point or missed opportunity.