The second-half rally offered some relief. Rangers pulled a goal back, pressed Club Brugge high, and created chances. For a fleeting spell they carried threat and avoided further damage. But the scoreline remained deceptive, less ugly perhaps, yet never genuinely hopeful.

Rangers trailed 3-0 at the time, there had been multiple outbreaks of booing and scores of people had already headed home.

With Champions League football and £40million at stake, there was no chance of a repeat.