Russell Martin has got off to a bumpy start as Rangers boss but stands just two games away from hitting the UEFA Champions League jackpot as his side prepare to face Club Brugge in the play-offs.
Most people expected a rollercoaster ride for the first few weeks under Martin, given he was trying to integrate a new style of play as well as an influx of summer signings.
I thought Rangers would suffer in the European qualifiers while getting the job done in the early domestic matches. But it has been the other way around, with Gers seeing off Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League qualifiers while spilling four points on domestic duty against Motherwell and Dundee.
Martin's side rode their luck in both those European ties but won to nil in each game at Ibrox and if they can repeat the trick in this first leg against Brugge it would see them plant one foot in the league phase.
The Belgians look more accomplished than those last two opponents though and will fancy their chances after outplaying Celtic last season as they claimed a 1-1 draw at Parkhead.
Club Brugge were made to sweat in the last round by RB Salzburg but came from 2-0 down in the second leg at home to seal a 3-2 win that saw them progress 4-2 on aggregate.
How the bookies view it: Brugge by a nose
Despite being away from home, it's Club Brugge who are slight favourites for this one at 6/4 with BoyleSports. Rangers are 13/8 shots and the draw pays 11/4.
Head to head: Happy memories for Rangers
These sides faced off in the inaugural Champions League back in season 1992/93 as Rangers came within a whisker of reaching the final. They battled out a 1-1 draw in Belgium before an incredibly fortuitous goal from Scott Nisbet sealed a 2-1 Ibrox win for 10-man Rangers.
Players to watch: Gassama the Euro talisman
Djeidi Gassama has made the biggest impact of Martin's summer signings, with the Frenchman netting four times in Europe already. The winger is 12/5 for another goal here, which looks a little overpriced.
Young Portuguese forward Carlos Forbs could be the next kid to make it big in Brugge. He scored against Salzburg in the last round and will fancy his chances against a leaky Rangers defence. The speedy 21-year-old is a tasty 3/1 for a goal at Ibrox.
Probable line-ups
Cyriel Desssers is a doubt for Rangers after picking up an injury in Plzen but Martin is confident the striker will recover in time to feature. Thelo Aasgaard and Mikey Moore got debuts at the weekend but aren't ready for European starts yet.
Brugge are set to be without Joel Ordonez again while a host of key players should return after being rested for Saturday's 1-0 win at Zulte Waregem.
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Aarons, Diomande, Raskin, Cameron, Gassama, Dessers, Antman.
Club Brugge: Mignolet, Meijer, Mechele, Spileers, Seys, Reis, Tzolis, Onyedika, Vanaken, Forbs, Vermant.
Anything else catch the eye?
Rangers have kept clean sheets at home in both their European games so far but they've looked vulnerable at the back in most of their outings under Martin.
Even League One Alloa scored twice at Ibrox in the League Cup on Saturday so we should see goals at both ends. BTTS pays just 11/20 at BoyleSports but adding on over 2.5 strikes boost the odds to 20/21.
Lyall Cameron has been the surprise package for Rangers this term, with the summer signing from Dundee establishing himself as a regular in midfield. He scored in Plzen so the 5/4 on offer at Bet365 for him to have a shot on target could pay off here.
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