AS the minutes ticked away and the probability of more domestic shortcomings edged ever closer, few inside Hampden saw Rangers finding a route back.

They’d performed admirably, particularly given many had played in excess of 200 minutes since Thursday. But with the bench appearing somewhat limited, Celtic a goal to the good, and Hampden scar tissue evident in the atmosphere, immense character was required to turn the game on its head. 

Twice the contribution of individuals defied the narrative. Firstly Connor Goldson and James Tavernier played passes of the highest calibre to assist Scott Arfield’s leveller, before deep into extra time Calvin Bassey found the energy to overlap and deliver a ball Carl Starfelt converted into his own net.

Despite a punishing schedule and previously fatal mental barriers, Rangers recovered and reset in-game. This was of course a semi-final and no trophy follows as a guarantee but from the lows of an Old Firm defeat that seemingly ended the league race earlier this month, these past few days have poured fresh hope on the potential of May.

If a place in the final hadn’t been secured, yesterday would have provided another example of this team rising to the occasion without seizing the opportunity of victory. Throughout the course of the match they carried out their game plan diligently and despite suffering lacking a final ball in stages, enjoyed the more cohesive attacking moments.

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The addition of Jon McLaughlin proved vitally important as crosses were swung into the six-yard box where the No.2 is a more comfortable claimer than Allan McGregor. In addition, the Ibrox side were able to use their goalkeeper as a passing option which, while not without the odd moment of discomfort, generally provoked the opposition press and provided space to play within.

When his team was playing against the ball, van Bronckhorst utilised a similar approach seen at Ibrox in the recent Old Firm meeting. Ryan Kent joined Kemar Roofe to target both centre-backs, leaving John Lundstram and Calvin Bassey to jump up and track Josip Juranovic and Tom Rogic respectively. It created man-for-man battles all over the pitch which the eventual winners largely dominated. Whenever either side broke the press or won the ball, chaos threatened to follow. However, Celtic lacked the control to test McLaughlin and the absence of real pace in the Rangers midfield was the difference between half-chances troubling Joe Hart.

None of the above was a surprise. In guiding his team to the last four in Europe, van Bronckhorst has shown himself to be an astute tactician, capable of altering the course of high-level matches with shape changes and adaptations. Heading into yesterday’s encounter he’d lost both of his meetings with Ange Postecoglou; while failure in cup competitions was a burden he inherited.

In midweek, the Rangers Review hypothesised that the overcoming of a mental barrier in-game by recovering against Braga could prove significant. This group have traditionally struggled to claw back strongholds after going behind; exits from the Champions League and League Cup both provide clear evidence of endless, safe crosses being hopelessly aimed at the opposition in hope of redemption. Such themes also played out in the 2-1 defeat against Celtic earlier this month when 36 crosses hit the box with little return. A second half that could’ve saved the league campaign instead petered out rather bluntly.

That’s why the nature of Roofe’s winner against Braga felt as significant as the goal itself. Van Bronckhorst’s men worked an opportunity rather than forcing an opening that wasn’t forthcoming and as a result, found a way back into the game.

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“This is something we have been training on to create danger in those moments like in the second half against Celtic,” the manager had said in his pre-match press conference.

“Last Thursday we showed we are improving in those areas and we need to show that tomorrow."

When an equaliser and winner was required there was no panic or launched crosses from deep. Rangers trusted their ability and altered the script, combined with the superhuman effort from all involved to retain energy levels after four hours of football in just over three days.

“My legs didn’t feel great this morning. But it’s an Old Firm and once you get into it your legs take care of themselves,” Goldson told RangersTV post-match.

“We said at half-time fatigue is mental, your body can always take you where you want to go.”

The last time van Bronckhorst visited the national stadium he witnessed the frailties of this team first hand in a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Hibs. They needed new direction and leadership if any hopes of positivity in May remained realistic.

While next month will ultimately dictate the success of his short-term impact these past few days demonstrate clear, tangible progress in areas he was appointed to reform.