There were major implications yesterday in the Champions League for Rangers, but not what you think.

Eagle-eyed punters will have seen Portuguese giants Porto overcome mighty Juventus to make the quarter finals of UEFA’s elite competition.

Do we need to spell this out?

Indeed, Rangers got a well-earned draw in Porto last season, and frankly a well-deserved win at Ibrox, and now this historical giant of the Dragao has put away Juve, just like Young Boys put away the supposedly mighty Bayer Leverkusen this season.

What we’re getting at is while this is hardly scientific, and Scotland aren’t the world champions just because they beat England after ’66, it gives an idea of the level Rangers are actually at, and what level of competition we can match or indeed beat.

If we can take four 4 points off Porto and they then one year later get to the CL quarters having put away Juve, it gives such a level of context as to where Steven Gerrard has taken this club in three years.

It’s kind of astonishing to think if the conditions were right, it could have been Rangers in the quarters, had the league not been rigged last term.

No, it’s very much a what if – but more importantly. It shows us what CAN be done next season in Europe’s premier club competition.

Much to ponder.