IT was the date that was circled on calendars at Ibrox and Auchenhowie and the day that Pedro Caixinha was working towards as soon as the ink was dry on his Rangers contract.

It was an important occasion and the start of a new chapter after a tale of woe last term. It wasn’t the most important 90 minutes Rangers will play this summer, though.

The return to European action was another small step on the road to recovery for the Light Blues and Caixinha’s side ensured the six year long wait was worth it at Ibrox.

Read more: Nottingham Forest and Cardiff set to battle it out for Rangers winger Barrie McKay

As performances go, the one that earned victory over Progres Niederkorn on Thursday night was hardly enthralling. Realistically, it was never going to be from Rangers.

Ever since the final whistle at McDiarmid Park on May 21, a moment that brought the curtain down on a forgettable and uninspiring campaign, the focus has been fixed on the Europa League first round tie.

A short summer break and a condensed pre-season later and Caixinha’s side, with three new faces in the starting line-up, returned to competitive action in front of a capacity home crowd.

Now the Gers will look to finish the job that they started, thanks to Kenny Miller’s first half strike, when they take to the field at the Stade Josy Barthel tomorrow evening.

The margin of victory may have been tight, and Progres may have briefly threatened, but Rangers head to Luxembourg in the driving seat. They should return to Glasgow with a second round berth and a meeting with AEL Limassol secured.

The benefits, in terms of finance, experience and co-efficient points are crucial, but it is the extra match minutes that are of greatest importance for Caixinha’s side.

Bounce games against TNS, Coleraine and St Johnstone were hardly ideal preparation for the first competitive outing of the campaign at Ibrox last week.

Read more: Nottingham Forest and Cardiff set to battle it out for Rangers winger Barrie McKay

But another couple of Europa League clashes would undoubtedly stand the Gers in good stead for the opening weekend of the Premiership next month.

Rangers will kick-off with a trip to Fir Park on Saturday, August 5 and it is that afternoon that is the most important one for Caixinha.

The European outings have given fans a chance to see their side in action and get a first look at the new-look after a productive summer in the transfer market that has seen eight players arrive so far.

But it is in the domestic arena where Caixinha and his recruits will be judged and where they must have success in the coming weeks and months.

If Rangers can find a way past Limassol, which will be no easy task, that will give them another two tests and their sternest examinations before a Premiership ball is kicked.

The likes of AC Milan or Everton could await the Gers, who will be unseeded once again at that stage should they get there, and the chances of Caixinha’s side going through all four rounds to reach the Group Stages are slim.

Neither the Ibrox boss nor the Light Blue legions will be taking anything for granted at this juncture, of course. It is one game and one round at a time.

Read more: Nottingham Forest and Cardiff set to battle it out for Rangers winger Barrie McKay

But the perks of progression will not be out of their minds as they look to hit the ground running in the Premiership next month.

With Celtic visiting Ibrox for the first Old Firm fixture in September, the opening half a dozen league outings are crucial for Rangers.

If they are to mount any kind of challenge this term, they must surely be ahead of or within touching distance of Brendan Rodgers’ side by the time the final whistle blows at Ibrox.

There can be no repeat of the results last term that saw points dropped at home to Hamilton and away to Dundee before the demolition derby at Parkhead that set the tone for the remainder of Mark Warburton’s reign.

Rangers will go into their second season back in the top flight with a renewed sense of optimism on the back of a significant summer on and off the park.

The challenge for Caixinha will be to keep up that momentum for as long as possible, to harness the feel good factor amongst supporters and keep them on side as his summer signings settle into life at Ibrox.

Having got off and running with a win this term, another couple in the coming weeks would certainly stand Rangers in good stead.

One big day has come and gone. The next milestone date will signal the start of a season that will shape Caixinha’s Ibrox destiny.