The Giovanni van Bronckhorst Rangers midfield decision that was unthinkable under Steven Gerrard

Of course, during games, when the situation has called for it, the manager has chosen to re-position Lundstram. Nonetheless, these are the two players he appears to trust at the base of his midfield. Glen Kamara, who was essentially un-droppable in Steven Gerrard’s system, is now a rotational player for these occasions, moved higher up the field or left on the bench. When such a big call is made it’s natural to ask: why?

Kamara is renowned for his touch and quick footwork. Under pressure from an opponent, few others in this Rangers squad are as difficult to dispossess as he is. Previously, he acted as a connection between defence and attack in Gerrard’s 4-3-3. Playing on the left of the middle three, he offered energy, composure and control. With Finland at last year’s Euros, he played in the same position albeit in a different system and style of football.

Since van Bronckhorst took over from Gerrard, a more traditional midfield setup has been utilised, as opposed to the old flat three sitting in front of the centre-backs. Now, Kamara is mostly used in a holding role. He’s even played as the single pivot in the ‘open triangle’, acting as the first point of contact for the centre-backs in possession. But European games bring pressures of a different nature to, say, Motherwell at home. Kamara lacks physicality and sometimes switches off to the defensive basics: getting around second balls, tracking runs. These are the subtle aspects that have perhaps led van Bronckhorst to favour a Jack/Lundstram pairing for those special midweek nights.

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It’s easy to forget that, before he left Aberdeen for Rangers, Jack was not universally loved by the Dons' support. Some felt he was limited on the ball. His progressive passing and desire to get forward and support attacks gradually improved under Gerrard, but he has always had the mentality to get it and give it, to stay back and keep possession ticking rather than open things up, and it’s that mindset that means he fits right into a more conservative role. As an aside, considering his recent injury record, the less physically taxing holding role probably suits him as much as he suits it.

Sitting in front of the centre-backs, Jack offers aggression and sound defensive positioning. Below, he shifts to cover inside Joe Aribo, who is closing down Red Star’s left-back. When the pass is played, Jack is there to intercept it.

Van Bronckhorst has also mentioned his leadership qualities as crucial at the heart of this team. After Jack came on at half-time in the 3-0 derby defeat back in February, the manager singled him out for praise. He said: “For me he was the best man on the pitch in the second half.

“Not only his performance but his attitude, his coaching, his motivation.”

If Jack is the leader in midfield, Lundstram is the worker. The former Sheffield United man’s speed on the turn was an issue before, but in a deeper, more defensive role and with more of the game in front of him, that is less of a problem. He’s strong, physical, and is aware to fill gaps in the backline when necessary.

Here we see him getting tight to his man as Dortmund switch play to the right rather than try to come back inside. He sticks his foot in and wins the duel, regaining possession for Rangers.

In the next sequence, we see Lundstram checking his shoulder, seeing a free opponent running into the box, then sprinting to narrow the angle for the crosser, helping to prevent a potentially dangerous attack from developing any further.

Van Bronckhorst also admires the player’s flexibility and has used him to man-mark specific opponents or play as an extra centre-back at times. Lundstram seems to understand exactly why he’s there – to fill gaps and take on specific tasks as the game goes on. Following the win over Red Star, he said: “I do whatever the gaffer tells me.”

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Rangers have had the minority share of ball possession in each of their last three Europa League games – in both legs against Dortmund, and in the home win over Red Star. A lot of their goals in these games have originated from fast breakaways and set pieces. There is more focus than there is domestically on defending and then moving the ball forward quickly, with minimal touches. In this more counter-attacking strategy, Jack and Lundstram are better suited than Kamara, as functional holding midfielders who rarely stray from their position, stay close to the centre-backs and keep things simple in possession. They are there primarily to neutralise threats, not to create.

Still, the idea of leaving out Kamara was unthinkable for Gerrard. Signed for a small fee and thriving in a specific style of play, he was an example of the old coaching team’s success and is one of the names perpetually linked with a move when the transfer windows open.

Compared to his predecessor, though, van Bronckhorst seems more adaptable tactically, more proactive to make in-game changes, and more open-minded about his selections. He tailors his line-up to the opponent and the game state, and sometimes that means leaving big names on the bench.