The challenge of competing at home and abroad is one that Rangers mastered under previous managers. It is one, though, that Philippe Clement’s side are still coming to terms with.

When Steven Gerrard and Giovanni van Bronckhorst were in the Ibrox dugout, their teams were able to rise to the occasion on a Thursday and take care of business on a Sunday. The newly assembled squad that Clement has at his disposal this term has it all to prove in that regard.

The fixture with Olympiacos this week will be the sixth European encounter of the campaign for Rangers. On each of the previous five occasions, their continental exploits have not come at a domestic cost. Motherwell and St Johnstone were beaten after the ultimately unsuccessful outings against Dynamo Kyiv, while the group games against Malmo, Lyon and FCSB were followed by wins over Hibernian, St Johnstone and St Mirren.

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On the face of it, that is an encouraging trendline for Clement. The bigger picture is always more indicative than the snapshot, however, and the fact that Rangers find themselves nine points adrift of Celtic and Aberdeen means that the trip to Athens this week is not as eagerly anticipated as it might have been by a frustrated fanbase.

Those victories against Malmo and Bucharest are two of the finest outings of the term to date and six points from three matches represents a solid start to the new league phase for Clement’s side. It is a foundation that Mohamed Diomande is determined to build upon.

“I expect we are going to train very hard to prepare for that game,” Diomande said. “Already on Thursday we are going to do our best. 

“We know it's a tough opponent and it's one of the biggest teams in Greece, but we have been doing well away from home in Europe.  So, I think we are going to push and get the three points.

“That’s what we want to do. We are in a tough group. We have a lot of tough opponents and getting results is important. We are going to try everything to get as many points as we can in every game we play in Europe.”

The Europa League could be seen as an inconvenience at present, but it offers an opportunity that Rangers must grasp. Speaking after the win over Motherwell on Sunday, Clement referenced the mentality that he wishes to see from a squad that are being asked to perform and win every three days.

The change of competition last time out and on Thursday evening is a respite from the struggles of an ailing Premiership title challenge. Rangers are not expected to return to Glasgow victorious, but they certainly cannot be written off against the side that sit three points off the pace in the Super League.

“Yes, obviously,” Diomande said when asked what a win in Greece would do for confidence levels within Clement’s camp. “That's going to be a big part. We know we've been poor the last few games in the domestic league. Winning in the Europa League in Greece is going to push us to go on Sunday again to win again. 

“Yeah, that's right [it would put us in a strong position]. Obviously, we are going to try and win again and get the points, like I said.”

If Rangers are to achieve that ambition, they will have to overcome Olympiacos off the park as well as on it. A red-hot reception awaits Clement’s side on Thursday evening.

A positive start to quieten the crowd at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium would be a sign of intent from Rangers. Yet Diomande is not fearful of the impact that the home fans could have on the fixture after becoming accustomed to life in the Glasgow goldfish bowl.

“Yeah, I think we are used to that,” Diomande said when asked about the anticipated atmosphere in Athens. “Personally, that's some experience I want to have. Playing in a big stadium like Ibrox, I think we are already used to the noise. That will help. 

“I think it's almost going to be similar [to going to Parkhead with no supporters]. We just need to be confident and play our style and get the result.”

It was a case of substance over style for Rangers on Sunday. A lethargic first half was followed by an improved second as goals from Cyriel Dessers and Nedim Bajrami set up a meeting with Celtic next month.

At the interval, it could have been argued that Clement had 45 minutes to save his job. The silverware ambitions and the Belgian’s position were salvaged as a deserved victory was earned.

“It's a big win because we didn't start very well and we came back with a winning mentality to win in the second half,” Diomande said. “So, that's even more nice and it's going to push us to push more.

“That was tough, and we needed to dig in more to push ourselves and it happened at the end and we got a win. That shows how we can win games. It cannot come easy, but we need to work hard and dig in to get a win.”

The revelation from Clement that he noticed a nervousness amongst his players at half-time was indicative and spoke to the situation in the match and in the season. He could be satisfied with the response in adversity after Andy Halliday opened the scoring.

The questions over the quality of the squad and the approach of the manager remain pertinent for supporters. Diomande insists, though, that the application cannot be queried right now.

“Obviously, the first half didn't go our way,” Diomande said. “They got one chance and they scored. The gaffer was there to lift our spirit and push us more and demand from us. I think he gave a good speech for us to push in the second half. We did everything and we got the win. 

“We show [that we care] and we are doing that every day. We push ourselves in training. We show that we are ready for each other. Sometimes it doesn't come easy. People say it differently, but we know deep down we are really fighting. We are trying to do everything to get a win.”