Gio van Bronckhorst saluted Alfredo Morelos' return to form as the striker fired Rangers into the Europa League knockout stage.
Morelos struck both goals in a 2-0 win over Sparta Prague that sent the Ibrox side into the latter rounds of the competition for the third consecutive season.
The Colombian was heavily criticised in the wake of Sunday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat to Hibs but he provided the two goal victory required to guarantee qualification and ensure Van Bronckhorst's reign kicked off with a bang.
The manager revealed he instructed Morelos to stay higher up the pitch to receive service from the wide areas.
And it's a tactic which proved decisive as the 25-year-old twice found himself in the right place at the right time.
Van Bronckhorst said: "He did really well. We know he's a striker who can create danger.
"I wanted him to play more towards the box - sometimes he has a thing in going deep into midfield.
"But, as you see with the wingers we have, we should always create chances with crosses and we have to have bodies in the box.
"I think he did really well and scored some good goals."
Van Bronckhorst tasked his players with lifting the mood around the club, soured by the weekend howler at Hampden, one which he watched from the stands before officially taking charge at the start of this week.
The Dutchman insisted he was "proud" of Rangers ' all-round display - although reckons the game should have been done and dusted by the interval.
He said: "I think everything! From the first minute we were in the game, pressing them, we had a good rhythm and created chances.
"We created enough chances in the first half to win the game in the first half. I was very proud of the guys, they did really well and kept pushing for the win.
"Of course, in the end 2-0 sees us through."
