RANGERS were caught between a rock and a hard place at The Quarry. Time will tell if this result is the foundation for success or the night that saw their Europa League ambitions begin to crumble.

As defeats go, this was about as acceptable as they come. No Rangers side should ever be content to be beaten, but this damage limitation loss to Braga can be taken positively ahead of what will be a rousing second leg at Ibrox next week.

Had Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side conceded a second and seen Braga double their advantage in the tie, the champions would have been staring at a quarter-final exit. As it stands, the semis are still within their reach.

This was not a performance that merited a draw, never mind a victory. But the result – as disappointing as it was – was about the best of the bad scenarios for Rangers on a frustrating, lacklustre night.

If a place in the last four is to be attained, then Van Bronckhorst’s side will need to be significantly better on home soil. As supporters headed for the exits and sad farewell to Portugal, they could do so with hope in a tie that is very much in the balance.

The trips to Dortmund and Belgrade in the two previous rounds were bucket list fixtures for fans. The Westfalenstadion may not have been at its most colourful or vocal, but the Marakana was an amphitheatre fitting of the occasion as Van Bronckhorst’s side followed up their win over the German giants and overcame Red Star to reach uncharted territory in the Europa League.

This was a very different occasion off the park and challenge on it. Braga don’t have the continental pedigree of the other sides that Rangers have beaten, but the Municipal Stadium has a unique charm of its own that made this quite the setting for a fixture of such significance.

A video of a lone musician playing the Europa League theme tune on a cello – whilst standing in the centre circle of an empty stadium – was a serene way to get the crowd in the mood. It soon sparked into life.

The Braga tifo didn’t quite go to plan. As the giant ‘R’ was passed down the rows, it was turned on its side and couldn’t be rectified to complete the display that filled the bottom tier of one of the two stands in this marvel of engineering arena.

In the stand above, red and white flares lit up the section that housed the vocal and sizeable travelling support. They had been a noticeable, unmissable, presence in the city centre throughout the day, and were now making themselves heard as the action got underway.

It was not just the surroundings that were familiar to Rangers. The majority of this side – which contained three changes as Glen Kamara, Scott Arfield and Fashion Sakala started – were present two years ago when Steven Gerrard’s side claimed a memorable victory.

That performance, topped off by a wonderful Ryan Kent goal, was amongst the finest that Rangers produced under Gerrard’s guidance. Van Bronckhorst now needed his side to match it against an outfit who have grown in stature and confidence throughout their Europa League and Primeira Liga campaigns.

There were times in the first half when Braga looked susceptible. It was impossible to argue that they didn’t deserve their advantage, though, as Abel Ruiz netted five minutes before the whistle.

The finish was emphatic from inside the area as Leon Balogun’s woeful attempt at a clearance – the defender taking an aimless fresh air swipe at the ball - proved costly as Rangers were punished in the manner expected at this level. Allan McGregor was beaten to his left and Braga had the goal that had been coming.

The first warning sign had arrived after 25 minutes when Ricardo Horta cracked the woodwork. Just seconds later, VAR came to the rescue for Rangers as Andre Horta’s effort was disallowed for a foul on Ryan Jack.

That period saw Braga assume the ascendency and the earlier chances for Rangers were not clear cut as they were unacceptably wasteful from set piece situations. It all had a familiar feel about it.

There was joy to be had on the break, but only if they were more clinical and a shot that Sakala scooped over from a promising position summed up their so near yet so far first 45 minutes.

It was stating the obvious, but the absence of Alfredo Morelos was so noticeable as Rangers were left with no out ball, no figure whose movement and presence could both occupy and frighten a defence.

There was a control and confidence about the way in which Rangers operated at this level under Gerrard. In many ways, it is remarkable that they have got further in the competition with Van Bronckhorst in charge when they haven’t looked as comfortable with or without the ball for large swathes of their European campaign.

The Dutchman would switch to a back three – as John Lundstram dropped deeper from his midfield starting spot – at the beginning of the second half. It was personnel changes that were required, though, as Rangers continued to look ragged, almost as if they were waiting for a moment of individual magic rather than being able to build concerted, meaningful pressure as a unit.

After an hour, Van Bronckhorst had seen enough. Borna Barisic replaced Balogun, Joe Aribo took over from Jack and Kemar Roofe became the focal point of the attack as Sakala made way having failed to make the most of his chance.

Connor Goldson would do likewise. From a James Tavernier corner, he nodded a header back across goal and wide of target as the first real opportunity of the half was squandered.

It felt like Braga – who rarely threatened until Andre Horta saw a long-range drive parried by McGregor - were content with their lot and happy to take a single goal lead back to Ibrox.

In terms of quality, this wasn’t a classic quarter-final clash, that’s for sure and the return to Braga won’t live long in the memory for players or punters alike.

The second leg could be an entertaining, exhilarating evening. Victory is the only result that will be acceptable at Ibrox.