Hearts wasn’t good enough. But with a team that was essentially last season's reserves, I am not sure we could have expected much else from Rangers. That’s me looking at things logically - because if I analyse the game emotionally, I'm simply upset at yet another stuttering start to the season.

In a game where we started slowly, Rangers still wasted five or six really good openings. You must take these opportunities even if you're not playing well.

Sounds familiar doesn’t it? But we will come to that in a bit.

Read more: Check all the Rangers transfer news & rumours throughout the transfer window

The manager said it would take 'two-to-three' months for this team to get up to speed and where he wants it. Unfortunately, we don't have that time. Whatever shape we are in, it must be enough to act as a springboard for the rest of the season.

I must admit I feared the worst when the team travelled to Poland given the fact that Dynamo Kyiv took nine from Partizan Belgrade in the previous round and have had a settled team for some time now.

When the starting 11 was announced my reaction was one of bemusement. It represented a team that urgently needed work and quality signings. It looked like a side that would worry me if we lined up in a League Cup fixture - never mind a Champions League qualifier.

Rangers, as a result, performed as was expected. The wingers didn’t work, Tom Lawrence didn’t really impact the first-half and Cyriel Dessers was isolated up top for any moments we did have. 

The shape and press was better, but John Souttar and Jack Butland were amongst those guilty of giving the ball away far too easily at times. This meant Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande were doing a lot of running and closing down.

The Kyiv goal derived from an individual mistake made by Ridvan Yilmaz, who got stuck on the ball. Souttar was caught playing everyone onside and then losing Andriy Yarmolenko who snuck in behind to score.

It was a goal entirely of Rangers' own doing, but given they had been loose on the ball it was somewhat expected, sadly.

To his credit, the manager made changes in the second-half which made a big impact. Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell added to the already impressive Jefte on the left. Vaclav Cerny was brought on as Rangers rolled the dice. Clement got his changes spot on to swing the momentum.

Cerny, who had been giving the ball away relentlessly, produced a cross of the quality Rangers had been dreaming of. From a stoppage time breakaway, Dessers was able to connect and send the travelling supporters wild.

It was everything Rangers deserved on effort and endeavour alone. In a tie that means so much financially, Clement's men have parity as they head towards a Hampden showdown that might just help shape those early months.

If our big No.9 had read Rabbi Matondo's knockback on Saturday, Dessers may just have had his moment at Tynecastle. But this one was worth the wait and it was certainly needed.

Cyriel Dessers and Rabbi MatondoCyriel Dessers and Rabbi Matondo (Image: Alan Harvey - SNS Group)

The reason we aren’t taking chances and the reason it’s all too familiar is because we still need ready-made first-team players. We urgently require quality in the final third and until that changes, will have to get through these games relying on a fair chunk of hope and optimism. 

That’s the truth of where we are. I would hope that in the coming weeks, we put ourselves in a position to expect goals.

That will take smart recruitment and key moments from those off the park - Nils Koppen has a vital period ahead of him.

The next few weeks are all about giving Clement exactly what he needs to succeed. More players capable of providing the moment that Cerny did from the bench to create such an important goal on Tuesday.

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What I don’t like to see, although I understand it, is the rhetoric that everything at this football club is terrible. In recent days I have seen the manager, the board, the players and the captain all being rubbished. If social media had its way there would be no-one left at Ibrox.

I understand the anger but we asked for a rebuild and we asked for a complete refresh - that takes time.

I reckon this squad still need three or four starters.  We have a lot to improve upon but maybe Dessers' vital equaliser can be a springboard to better things on the pitch whilst others do better off it.