BARKING at Borna Barisic to release the ball early in the first half yesterday evening, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s instructions were already starting to form this Rangers team into his own image.
The recipient of Barisic’s forward pass was Ryan Kent – stationed wide on the left touchline. Aided by the momentum gained attacking from a wide area, he stepped past Pavelka and beyond Wiesner before cutting the ball into the feet of Joe Aribo – the eventual shot rebounding off of the woodwork.
The changes evoked by Van Bronckhorst’s brief spell at the helm of the club broke the deadlock on 14 minutes. James Tavernier’s deeper position in possession coincided with Aribo retaining width on the right – both elements collided to create a route beyond the defensive line which the ball was sent along. Ianis Hagi’s industry earned Alfredo Morelos a shooting chance. The Colombian's poise caused a goal.
Whether it be the seldom sight of Glen Kamara darting forward from midfield, pace in transition or shape without the ball. Change was evident and beneficial.
This was different, fresh and fun. A wonderful welcome to a new era.
Van Bronckhorst, who only took his first training session on Tuesday, knew that alterations were necessary following a Hampden humbling on Sunday.
“I’m sure we can help them before Thursday in getting some information across and some details to get a good result,” he said at his unveiling in the blue room on Monday.
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Welcomed by both actions, in the form of spectacular display, and voice as a regular chorus of his name rung out around Ibrox. Everything was geared towards a snarling performance on the pitch, reflective of the energy exerted from all four stands.
Right from those early sightings of Kent running directly at his unwilling victims, more of the details hinted at by Van Bronckhorst in the week were evidenced.
Gone by in large was pacificism in the build-up phase and with it the obsession to play in repetitive patterns. Instead, the wide areas and open patches behind the visitors were targeted. Kent, in particular, shot forward in transition instead of moving towards the ball and pulled wide in moments of possession to stretch the opposition.
“At times I like to keep them in the wide areas, to create the one-v-ones and overloads. When we have the right speed of play, we can get the ball really quick to danger zones,” Van Bronckhorst said when asked about that specific detail post-match.
Another clear differentiation from recent years was the shape without the ball. The 4-3-3 mid-block was replaced with a 4-4-1-1 shape that required plenty of work up and down from each winger and wider-spaced defensive banks. Negating the all-to-regular vulnerability to switches of play and wide overloads seen previously this season.
Calvin Bassey, playing in the centre of defence, was impressive throughout. Dominating duels and positionally sound. The midfield pair protected the entire defence diligently. Aided by their freedom from shuttling out wide to close down opponents.
Some other small alterations were on show. Morelos in the first half peeled to either wing when his side cleared the ball - allowing him to play from an angle. Performing a focal point role, the supporting late runs of Aribo could have amassed to a hat-trick on a more fortuitous evening.
Even in moments when breaths were drawn, a questionable Tavernier backpass or the odd time in which Morelos didn’t block a passing lane but was attracted to the goalkeeper, encouragement was consistent from the sideline.
A more tepid conclusion to the first 45 was remedied in the short period post-break. Kent could have scored twice following darting infield runs from the touchline. He too was aided by the odd expertly-timed overlap from the marauding Barisic.
That once more invigorated those in attendance. The display on show pre-match was hoisted and waved again in collective harmony, Van Bronckhorst’s name continued to be sung loud into the Govan air. It was a moment just crying out for a goal.
Morelos has of course divided opinion this season, up until Sunday’s defeat to Hibs when few could have defended an abject showing. Sustainability will be needed, but yesterday was far more Morelos-ish than the deep-lying, linking forward that has seen his best attributes gradually erode away. His second goal was caused by calamitous defending as Panak chipped the ball onto his head.
Nathan Patterson was also introduced to play in front of Tavernier – as the newly-arrived manager appeared to solve yet another conundrum within his maiden 90 minutes. Could we see them in the same team more often the manager was asked after the game? “That’s possible” was his reply. Music to the ears of 50,000.
“At times in the past I used two full-backs in games,” he added. “You saw Prague putting a lot of players forward, so the left-back was playing almost like a left-winger. If you have two full-backs defending that space it’s more easy. When you have a winger in that position he is not used to that.”
Progression to the round of 32 would not have been sealed without Allan McGregor’s stunning late double save – a rouge left boot the object to seal Rangers’ place in the knockout stages for a third consecutive year. A mention as well for Tavernier’s following header which took the ball out of the path of the onrushing Pulkrab.
Five days on from more disappointment in Mount Florida - the early work done by Van Bronckhorst and his team gave variation and freedom. The start of a new cycle brings new hope. Evidenced on last night, such hope looks well placed. 
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