The big performance, as Michael Beale labelled it, is coming from Rangers. There would be no better time for it to be produced.
Small steps have been taken over the course of the campaign thus far. Now Rangers have to make the leap forward if they are to achieve the first target in a season that must deliver silverware.
Losing to Kilmarnock on the opening day of the Premiership was not part of the plan but the blueprint that Beale has adhered to all summer was not ripped up at Rugby Park. Instead, Rangers worked through the methodology and have gradually seen the improvements and the benefits.
Servette were seen off in the Champions League and Morton were beaten in the League Cup. Some of the ground lost in the Premiership has been made up thanks to the wins over Livingston and Ross County and Celtic’s stumble at home to St Johnstone on Saturday.
The title race will take precedence once again at the weekend as the Old Firm meet for the first time this term. Bragging rights and the momentum in the Premiership will be on the line at Ibrox.
Rangers will, and should, fancy their chances of a derby win regardless of what unfolds in Eindhoven but a win over PSV would be quite the platform upon which to build for a side that are evolving with each fixture.
Qualifying for the Champions League was the first box that Beale knew had to be ticked this term and his side have given themselves every chance despite being held to a 2-2 draw last week. History shows, of course, that such a state of affairs need not prove insurmountable for Rangers and players, pundits and punters in Holland should dismiss the visitors at their peril 12 months on from a famous win for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side.
The Premiership title is, as always, the be-all and end-all at Ibrox. Yet the lure of the Champions League in a football sense and the benefit of it financially cannot be overlooked and the opportunity that awaits in Eindhoven is one that will be cherished by Beale’s side.
“Obviously, it would be huge for the club and the fans first and foremost and this group is desperate to play in that competition again,” Beale said.
“Naturally for me and the staff that's the aim and the aim coming into pre-season. We have a huge test ahead of us to see that be a reality.
“It's fine, we expect [to be written off]. The other team needs to be confident they're in their home stadium and the first game was a draw.
“We don't read too much into that. We know we need to perform, I feel, better than we did last week if we want to go through. This team is due a big performance so it's there, the opportunity for us is clear.”
Goals from Abdallah Sima and Rabbi Matondo allowed Rangers to dare to dream at Ibrox. The responses from PSV – first through Ibrahim Sangare and then Luuk de Jong – ensured that feet remained firmly on the ground.
Beale was bold in his selection and his substitutions last week and was repaid by those that he put his faith in. A draw was a fair result, yet it was a fixture that Rangers could easily have won.
The way in which Beale’s side competed has naturally given them confidence for the rematch in the Philips Stadion. The job that has been started must be completed.
“The team selection won't be too far from last week, there won't be too many surprises,” Beale, who confirmed the absence of midfielder Kieran Dowell with a knee injury, said. “Across our squad, we have a variety of options in the final third.
“We need to be better with the ball this week. I think we created chances regardless last week from the small amount of possession we had compared to normal but going away in Europe you know you have to be strong defensively first, and then you have to take your opportunities when they come.
“I believe this is a game where both teams will have opportunities, it's the team [that is the] most decisive that will go through.”
The memories of that night in Eindhoven will be fond ones for those that are returning 12 months on, but it is unlikely to play too big a part in proceedings this time around given the changes that have been made in both dugouts and in both squads.
Rangers were able to overcome a partisan home crowd and a side that went on to finish second in the Eredivisie under the guidance of Ruud van Nistelrooy. Now it is the one coached by familiar foe Peter Bosz that must be beaten.
“I think their crowd will be behind them just like ours was at Ibrox,” Beale said. “That can do one of two things.
“I felt last week at times we were a little bit emotional in the game. It can unnerve you as much as it can be a big help.
“The coaches have changed for both teams and there weren’t many players who played last week who were involved in those previous games.
“Everybody is aware of what happened and the motivation is equal to last year. I don’t see it being any bigger on both sides.
“There has been a lot read into that, but for the group of players going out there the prize of getting to the Champions League is enough.”
Rangers saw their preparations interrupted on their last visit to the famous arena as supporters swarmed around the team buses on their journey from the hotel to the stadium. Smoke bombs and flares were set off and Van Bronckhorst was left incensed that kick-off wasn’t delayed as a result.
A similar welcome seems inevitable this evening. It is not a concern for Beale, though, as he focuses his attentions on the factors that he can control.
“There have been talks in the background about that,” Beale said. “There was a problem with one of the buses but, listen, we think that was just on that night.
“We don’t envisage any issues. PSV have been playing in Europe for many years. It’s a high quality club and we trust in their organisation for sure.
“They have a home game to win to go in the Champions League group stage so they’ll be supremely confident of that, I’m sure. We have to be the thorn in the side.”
