While we demanded a response after losing top spot and suffering a heavy Old Firm defeat, many wouldn’t have considered beating Borussia Dortmund let alone putting them out of the Europa League. Rangers' form since the winter break has been sketchy to say the least and the aforementioned derby defeat, especially the manner of it, led to heavy but deserved criticism.

I’ve said previously that Rangers are built for winning and it’s a habit this club must stay in, but there's no doubt this season has been challenging. Injuries, fixture changes and major managerial upheaval has left serious work to do. So this double European header was a chance for a distraction from normality. Rangers' current reality of lacking a killer touch domestically is a narrative we have seen painfully repeating itself.

Against Dundee United, we didn’t get a break, missed too many chances and were on the end of some shocking officiating which resulted in another two points being thrown away.

Nothing is lost and nothing is won but we don’t have much wiggle room left. The truth is we were very good in the second half at Tannadice, on another day with shooting boots and competent officiating Rangers score four.

So even with everything I’ve said in this very weekly column about the absolute need to win, I consoled myself this one point for Rangers may just be vital on a day where we had no luck at all. Not very staunch and a touch different to what I have written in the past but sometimes realism is required.

But in terms of challenges, a superb showing in Dortmund brought us to last night and with Ibrox electric then we were all set for a barnstormer of a football match.

And we were certainly not disappointed.

As Borussia pushed with four successive corners (which Joe Aribo cleared every time), Rangers hit a long ball that found its way to Ryan Kent. The tricky winger was scythed down and Rangers had a penalty. The unflappable captain James Tavernier stepped up to convert beautifully and we had a three-goal lead almost against the run of play.

But then there was a loose Goldson clearance and the impressive Jude Bellingham made it 1-1. Before a blink of an eye it was 1-2 as Rangers dropped in too deep and Mallen poked in Dortmund's fourth of the tie.

It was time to regroup and get to half-time but not before two more missed opportunities had everyone on tenterhooks.

READ MORE: Rangers defy Borussia Dortmund as Giovanni van Bronckhorst's tactical trump card turns the tide

Then it happened. 

A half-time sub as Leon Balogun comes on for Borna Barisic and then John Lundstram plays as a centre-back between Leon Balogun and Connor Goldson. Rangers went to a simple 5-3-2 or 3-4-3 depending on what you saw. That change was vital as Rangers controlled the second half with a brilliant performance.

Two quick Alfredo Morelos efforts were superb but sent Borussia a warning they didn’t heed.

The Captain again popped up at the back post to fire a bullet shot home after magnificent work from Calvin Bassey on the left. One full-back to another. Where have we seen that before?

We were robbed by VAR for a superb Ryan Kent effort after Alfredo was adjudged to have fouled in the build-up. Even five minutes later Kent would go through but a heavy touch allowed Dortmund to cover but it was immaterial as Rangers progressed to the last sixteen of the Europa League.

There were many huge performances, from Bassey and Tav to Ryan Jack. John Lundstram, who took a yellow card with the intelligent crudeness this team has missed for so long. Then up front Alfredo alongside Ryan Kent both battered the Germans and the reality is only a dodgy decision ruined a Rangers victory.

But not one performance was as big as the moment of the night that belongs to the manager.

He recognised that there was too much danger and the backline couldn’t cope. His change to three at the back was a game-changing moment. If criticism was merited before, then every bit of praise is needed after tonight. On Walter's birthday, the master must have looked down with a huge smile at the Ibrox apprentice.

One of Germany's biggest clubs and the tournament favourites scudded out on their own backyard before a home tie really killed them off. It's remarkable.

If questions have been fair then praise must also be given where it's due. And Gio and his team deserve every plaudit going for one of the biggest European results in modern-day Scottish history.