As Rangers prepare to kick off their fourth consecutive Europa League group stage campaign under Steven Gerrard, you will forgive some for reflecting on the Champions League disappointment in Malmö.

The failure of Ibrox’s team to qualify for the elite competition of European football this season is still very serious and for many it is a sensitive subject which they can now only tackle with a certain franchise.

Not participating in the group stages was a financial blow (somewhere in the region of £ 30million– £ 40 million) but for Ranger fans – desperate to signify their return to the top of Europe after a decade of slump – the scar is a little deeper.

This season’s Scottish Premiership winners will advance to the Champions League next season – so there is cause for optimism – and a revamped Europa League is a satisfying second prize.

But at the start of the Champions League this season, conquerors Rangers Malmö gave Gers fans a taste of what they lack in the competition.

The Swedish champions welcomed Italian giants Juventus to Scandinavia for a glamorous game that ended up being competitive only in name.

The Swedes lost 3-0 at halftime as goals from Alex Sandro, Paolo Dybala and Alvaro Morata ended the game before both sides had a chance to breathe.

If the Gers had qualified until qualifying, then – hypothetically – they would host Juve instead.

Steven Gerrard spoke after his side exited Champions League qualifying, saying his side may be “not ready” for significant progress in class in the competition.

A failure to beat a swept street Malmois side on the opening day of a squad also including last year’s winners Chelsea and Russian goliaths Zenit perhaps consolidates that.

The Rangers squad – aside from Ibrox mainstays Steven Davis and Allan McGregor – are considerably inexperienced at Champions League level and this season has to be a steep learning curve.

Juventus’ humiliation of Malmö is a temporal reminder of the rise of the Champions League. (Photo by David Lidstrom / Getty Images)

Underestimate any team at this level at your peril, but understand even for the conquerors of Team Ibrox, gaining a point out of 18 might just be a feat at the top of the European table.

Rangers’ attention will instead turn to hosting Lyon in Glasgow, where the absence of a key player has led to accusations that the ex-Celtic star “bottled him” from Ibrox. .