Rangers had only lost once to Belgian opposition, on this site and against Liege some 60 years ago, and Steven Gerrard’s side approached the game on the crest of a wave following the weekend win over Celtic.
After seeing off Galatasaray to set up a group section with Benfica, Lech Poznan and tonight's hosts, the players had a platform to perform and a standard to uphold.
And they did that in some testing conditions with lashing rain and then a flooded pitch bordering on unplayable – but they saw it out with a first half James Tavernier penalty and a second-half wonder goal from Kemar Roofe.
Player ratings scale - 10: One of best performances you've seen. 9: Outstanding. 8: Very good. 7: Good. 6: Average. 5: Poor, 4: Very poor. 3: Terrible day at office. 2: Abysmal. 1: One of worst performances you've seen.
9. Ryan Kent - 6
From Rangers' most attacking threat in the early part of the season, his quiet spell continued until ten minutes from the end. Still a threat and makes the right moves but Rangers best moves came through Hagi, Arfield and Morelos on the right. Photo: Rico Brouwer - SNS Group
10. Ianis Hagi - 8
Romanian midfielder was perhaps hooked before his time. Was a key cog in the Rangers attack with his flicks and vision and almost scored a wonder-goal on his birthday from 30yards in the first half. Impressed. Photo: VIRGINIE LEFOUR
11. Alfredo Morelos - 6
Tried in the first half, yet looked off the pace. Guilty of not pulling the trigger on the half-hour with clear sight of goal but picked up in the second half and unlucky not to find the net before being replaced by Roofe. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos
12. Steven Gerrard - 8
Best results have come in Europe and this is another. System suited the occasion and had the players mucking in when necessary late on. Second half changes made at the right time and for right effect. Photo: VIRGINIE LEFOUR