So, the Phony War is over and the new season begins this Saturday as Livingston visit the Champions. Last weekend’s matches with Brighton and Real Madrid certainly did nothing to puncture the upbeat mood amongst Rangers fans. Whilst we were denied a win versus the South Coast club thanks to a dubious decision by Don Robertson – I really should save that to drafts, I’m going to need it this season – Sunday evening’s success against the Spaniards was one of those rare non-competitive matches where you felt you were witnessing something special. I’ve complained on here already about the importance pre-season matches get but every so often – Chelsea in 2007, Arsenal 1996 – one comes along that gives you that special feeling inside. You just know people will remember it fondly in the future and thankfully in this instance will be able to say ‘I was there’.

‘But David’, I hear you ask, ‘why?’ (Metaphorically obviously. Look, just go with it.) Well, firstly it was Real Madrid. Yes, they were missing a raft of first-team players and yes it’s about fitness for them too. But it was still Real sodding Madrid for goodness sake. If a Scottish team can’t be excited about beating them, then what are we even doing at this point?

It was about much more than the result though. It was the way Rangers played that got your stomach acid all fizzy. Fast, incisive passing. Hunting in packs to win the ball back when a move broke down. The ambition to try adventurous things to get in behind them and the ability to execute them. Players surging through their midfield with the ball seemingly glued to their feet. It was dynamic, it was attractive but most of all it was thrilling.

Rangers Review: You can hear more from David on the Heart and Hand podcast.You can hear more from David on the Heart and Hand podcast.

The performance prompted comparisons with Dick Advocaat’s 1999/2000 team. That was a side packed with expensive, quality footballers. A young Barry Ferguson partnering Giovanni Van Bronckhorst in midfield was the stuff dreams were made of. It also had a coach who was insistent on how the game should be played. ‘Keep it on the ground and nobody can live with you’ seemed to be his mantra and he had the players to execute his plan. They really were a joy to watch and they dished out some fearful beatings.

I think, however, a more apt comparison might be the Graeme Souness side of 1986/87. That Advocaat team was indeed brilliant but when Celtic decided to respond the following season by upping the physical challenge under Martin O’Neill, the side collapsed spectacularly. Advocaat could never quite come to terms with that aspect of Scottish football. Indeed, it took his removal and the arrival of Alex McLeish to change the tide of Old Firm matches. Under Advocaat, you could almost sense towards the end that lack of belief. Once other teams in the league noticed it, it was game over for the Little General.

READ MORE: Rangers 1987/88: The tumult and turmoil of Graeme Souness' second season - Martyn Ramsay

Souness got immediately that Scottish football is often a battle. You could argue he got it a little too much as he was sent off in his first match at Easter Road for what might be generously termed a pre-emptive strike on the opposition. But he understood that you have to win the battle before the superiority of your talent can assert itself. Rangers could handle a scrap but when it turned to the actual use of the round spinning thing, we were much better than everyone else.

I see that same aspect to this side. It is supremely fit and that certainly helps. But it also has a fair sprinkling of guys you absolutely would want backing you up in a brawl. That’s not to say it lapses into agricultural football too often, but nor is it willing to meekly surrender when the opposition stick their faces forward.

I think, like all good sides, they are a reflection of their manager. Steven Gerrard was a footballer capable of some exquisite skills but he also had that massive desire to compete. Nobody was going to bully him or his teammates and that was obvious from his manner on the field. I’d also argue that the same attitude, the same desire is pretty clear in his demeanour as a manager too. His side will win the battle first then use their superior firepower to win the war. That 86/87 side was very similar as it steamrollered sides on its way to our first title in nine years.

Livingston will be the first to challenge that assertion, using hard work, organization and intensity to try to gain the bragging rights for being the first side to beat Rangers in the league in 16 months. It’s a massive carrot but also a massive task. If Rangers keep playing with the venom we saw last weekend then Livingston will likely just be the first of many who fall short this season.

You can hear more from David on the Heart and Hand podcast. Subscribe here for as little as £1.50 a month or listen free to the flagship shows on all good podcast platforms.