It’s not every day you beat the most glamorous football team that’s ever lived so it’s understandable many Rangers supporters are high as kites after yesterday’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid at Ibrox.

The manager has appealed for calm. Easier said than done, Steven.

Speaking to Rangers TV after watching his side dismantle Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded team, the Light Blues boss was glowing in his praise for his players:

“It shows the quality and the strength in depth we have got around the dressing room, so I am really happy and content, but at the same time, it is important we stay calm.” He said.

“We have two down days now just to recover and get ready, and from Wednesday, it is important that everyone’s focus is top and ready for Livingston.”

His appeal is directed at his squad, of course, and Saturday’s Premiership opener against David Martindale’s men will be an entirely different contest where results WILL start to matter.

But given the result and performance against the most famous name in world football, fans should be forgiven for getting excited.

Yes, it was mainly Real’s second string who took to the field at Ibrox yesterday but every single one of them would be a welcome addition to the Rangers squad.

Yes, it was a pre-season friendly.

But it’s the manner of the display that has created this groundswell of excitement and anticipation for the campaign ahead.

Real are a team packed with Champions League winners and a valuation of over £160million but were made to look ordinary by this well-oiled, impeccably-drilled Ibrox machine.

Rangers look hungry and Gerrard alluded to this in his post-match interview.

“We have got valuable minutes into important players and we have shown a level out of possession that I really like – our speed across the grass, our aggression and moving together as a unit in our shape”

The stats back it up. 

21 shots to Madrid’s five with eight on target to Madrid’s one, which happened to be their sole goal from Rodrygo.

READ MORE: Rangers 2-1 Real Madrid: Steven Gerrard's side outclass La Liga giants at Ibrox

It’s these numbers that reinforce the feeling amongst the support that this is a special Rangers side they are witnessing and for the vast majority, witnessing for the very first time.

With the Champions League qualifiers just around the corner, you sense this team are well equipped to reach the group stage for the first time in 11 years - and also compete in the greatest tournament in world football.

Having watched them in the flesh on Saturday in the goalless draw with Brighton, you couldn't fail to be impressed. Despite the lack of goals, those leaving Ibrox would have been highly satisfied with what they had witnessed.

The work rate, movement, intensity and little combinations were a joy to behold at times and after an undefeated season in the SPFL last year, it's a struggle to see too many gaps in the armour.

They look strong in every area of the pitch, possess arguably the best goalkeeper in Britain, the best full-backs and central defenders in Scotland, a potential midfield trio of Davis, Kamara and Lundstram backed up by able deputies and a frightening forward line.

Fans are quite rightly enthused by what they’re watching with the club entering a new era now that 55 has finally been achieved.

It certainly feels like we are viewing a squad at the beginning of a prolonged period of success and Sunday’s victory will have done nothing to quell that sense.

Gerrard will make sure the players won’t let complacency come into their reckoning though, very much like the players, he looks hungry for more.

In an interview with Rangers TV earlier this month he said:

“We are well aware the language of 55 has to stop now and we need to move very swiftly onto 56 to try and achieve that, and we have to work even harder to achieve that as the challenges are going to come from different teams all over the league.”

It’s this type of language that leaves you in no doubt that Rangers will march on towards 56, achieve long-awaited cup success and make European progress.

Stay calm? 

This Rangers team are making it very difficult indeed.