Michael Beale has the blueprint and the component parts. Now he is trying to put them all together and make the final product look like the finished article.
In that regard, Cyriel Dessers knows exactly how his manager feels. As he seeks to lay his own foundations for the future, the striker is assembling a home from home that will help him make a name for himself at Ibrox.
Dessers put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal to complete his switch from Cremonese this summer and has netted in the wins over Servette and Morton in the opening weeks of the campaign.
Some of his early performances have come in for criticism from sections of the Ibrox support but few punters consider the time that it can take for a side – especially one that has undergone as much of an overhaul as Beale’s – to click into place.
It is important to remember the nuts and bolts factors of a change of city and a change of climate, too. And that is why Dessers is content when he assesses the big picture and looks at how the plans are developing.
“I think settling in is going well,” Dessers said of his first few weeks in Glasgow. “It’s not easy, of course, to come in during the pre-season when I am coming off an injury.
“It was a short pre-season so I had a pretty steep build up. We have gone onto a busy schedule with a lot of friendly games before the league started and then the Euro games.
“That is also a good thing. At home, also, you have to move from Italy to Scotland and get a house, get a car and do the administration. I have had to assemble IKEA furniture!
“So these are all the things people don’t see on the pitch or on the television. There is a lot going on in our lives when we move country, of course.
“Is scoring goals much easier than the IKEA furniture? Definitely!
“But seriously, I have had a lot of great help from the people at Rangers and that has helped me settle for sure. And now I can say almost everything is done.
“I just have to assemble one last thing and I think I will do that on Wednesday. But all that takes time and takes energy as well.
“During pre-season you have a lot of things in your head. But now the season has got started I can fully focus on football.”
Dessers now has his eyes on the ultimate European prize. His strike against Servette helped set up a play-off round tie with PSV Eindhoven and Rangers are just two fixtures away from a place in the Champions League group stage.
Dessers has plenty of pedigree on the continent. He has played in Belgium, Holland and Italy and was the competition’s top scorer during Feyenoord’s run to the Conference League final last May.
“At other clubs, they can start the season in an easy way,” Dessers said. “But here, August is a fundamental month.
“It’s really important. Not only for us as players, but for the club, the fans and the city.
“So we will have to make sure we are ready. We’ll be prepared for tomorrow and we’re looking forward to the game. These are the games you want to play as a football player.
“Of course, these European nights are something extra, something special. I think they bring the best out of players because it’s the highest level.
“I hope I can do the same here at Rangers. I’ve heard the European nights at Ibrox are really special so I’m really looking forward to my second experience after Servette.
“Maybe also in Europe it’s because you play against good teams as well. When two teams play who want to play football and have good build-up play then it opens up some chances for the strikers.”
When Dessers was presented with his clearest chance in his last outing, he made no mistake from 12 yards as he slotted home to help Rangers on their way to victory over Morton.
A win over Championship opposition was not the perfect preparations for a shot at Champions League glory. Yet it was another important step in the right direction for Dessers as he combined with Danilo for what proved to be the winner at Ibrox.
“It is always nice to have a goal and an assist even if it is in the cup and against a team from the second division,” Dessers said. “It was a good feeling and it also gives me a lot of satisfaction that I could assist Danilo because this is something the manager has been speaking about.
“We have to have these partnerships and let it grow and build on it. Extras like that can help us grow and I am sure the next time it will be the other way around. I am really confident about it.
“I think fitness wise it looks really good now. My injury and condition. I think it is about 80-90 per cent now.
“I can see from the data of the games that I am doing good. But I know I can become even better.
“And on the other side, you have the rhythm of the game and the speed of the game, all of these things, then I think I have to make the last step. Hopefully tomorrow will be a fast game and a good game of really high level, so I will need to step up and go with the rhythm of the game, but I am confident I will.”
Those seasons spent in the Eredivise have given Dessers a unique insight into the challenge that Rangers will face over two legs. The task in hand is a considerable one.
The familiar face of Peter Bosz is now in charge after he replaced countryman Ruud van Nistelrooy in the dugout and a commanding third round win is all the warning that Rangers require.
“I saw their games against Sturm Graz and Feyenoord,” Dessers said. “The manager is well known for his style and the new players such as Noa Lang have made a good impression in these games.
“I obviously know him from Belgium and he has a lot of quality – but so do we.
“If you want to get to the Champions League, these are the games you need to win and the teams you need to beat.
“It’s clear for PSV and for us, if you want to go on you need to beat a good team.
“I’m sure the fans will give us a massive boost. I hope in the beginning of the game we can create an amazing, exciting atmosphere and we can do something together.
“PSV have big players who have played in big stadiums like this, but I hope we can have a special night together.”
