‘THIS is your moment Leon’ cried a hopeful voice from the Ibrox main stand, seconds before the defender bulleted a header back across goal, adding another twist in a tie littered with turns.

Balogun’s goal was the sixth time the ball hit the net in Rangers’ 3-0 win over Red Star Belgrade, but one of only three occasions in which a goal was awarded as the offside flag continually hampered the visitors. Fortune favoured the hosts from the penalty spot too, with James Tavernier scoring and Allan McGregor saving. By the time said fan spoke Balogun’s goal into life, his foreshadowing had an air of inevitability. Everything was going Rangers' way.

Dejan Stankovic lamented the scoreline’s reflection of events and based on chances alone his judgment is justified. Giovanni van Bronckhorst was also keen to reiterate that the tie’s outcome remains in the balance; a viewpoint last night’s see-saw supports. The post-game xG fell 2.13 to 1.70 in Red Star’s favour, but all famed European runs need an element of luck and in any case, the numbers tell only a part of last night’s story.

The fine lines favoured Rangers because they played with greater maturity, executed actions with an incision in key moments, all while van Bronckhorst won over Stankovic with constant tactical alterations to neutralise the Serbian champions’ advances. If the Dutchman’s job remit was to build and diversify the foundations Steven Gerrard built, results on the continent point to instant success.

“The boss has drilled it into us if we need to tweak stuff during games,” Tavernier said post-match of the team’s tactical discipline, so crucial in attaining the three-goal lead.

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As against Borussia Dortmund, it was the changes instilled by the new regime which proved to be the difference. A willingness to alter the shape in-game comfortably and react helped to regain control after the first goal and half-time. John Lundstram’s flexibility to move into midfield or defence according to the relevant danger was vital.

“I think John had a difficult role today,” his manager commented. “We prepared him for the different systems we could play against. So he was the key, especially in the second half because we wanted him to be very dynamic in midfield and keep pressure on the ball but sometimes he had to be in the back four to make it a back five. I think he did that really well second half."

Alfredo Morelos for an hour matched his showing in Dortmund, with tidy touches to match physical dominance. Ryan Kent’s attacking runs from wide areas and open angles gathered the momentum necessary to earn a penalty and subsequent lead and Tavernier’s attacking freedom provided the platform for yet another stunning individual display.

The victory was achieved through this attention to detail. Van Bronckhorst revealed in his post-match press conference that the zonal approach utilised by Red Star at corners offered opportunities. A regular first-half routine that saw Ryan Jack played in short and the defensive set-up unsettled allowed Morelos to pop up unmarked and make it 2-0 within 15 minutes.

By the time of their side's third, Ibrox had become near expectant. Ever the stadium to deliver on such an occasion the noise swung with a game always threatening more moments. One such occasion which could prove a sliding door in the tie arrived from the penalty spot. McGregor’s strong save from Alexsander Katai, after a challenging few months, was a welcome reminder of the dependability on which he has built a career.

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Visiting pressure intensified as the final whistle neared and retention of a three-goal advantage makes a quarter-final spot all the more tenable. Based on yesterday’s events anything could happen in Belgrade. No-one, however, can deny Rangers rightly hold the aces.

On the natural trajectory of progress, progression into the last eight would’ve surprised rather than stunned last August. And yet, it’s the manner in which three knock-out games to this point have been navigated that deserves much credit. A solid European pedigree now coupled with the tactical tutelage of van Bronckhorst is proving the ideal match; not only is he getting the very best of key individuals, but limiting opponents with the same stroke of a brush.

It's easy to understate results like this given the quite unbelievable consistency demonstrated on this stage in recent years. European competition is not built for clubs with the budget of Rangers to dismantle a German giant and then race into a 3-0 half-time advantage during the following round. The development and deliverance of this side, on these nights, has been a joyous and constant upset that deserves all the praise it will inevitably attract. All the while, parallels to a certain run in 2008 are drawn.

This group of players is giving supporters cause to dream bigger and bolder once again in Europe. Who says it has to stop anytime soon.