Rangers fans were looking at the future as Nathan Patterson made his international debut from the bench in Scotland’s friendly win over Luxembourg.
At a venue that still brings back haunting memories for light blue legions after THAT shock defeat to Progres Niederkorn three years ago, it was a more welcome sight in the Josy Barthel Stadium.
But if Patterson is the future for the Ibrox side, then Rangers supporters who stayed tuned to Sky Sports following Steve Clarke’s side’s 1-0 win were given a reminder of the past.
No sooner had Albanian referee Eldorjan Hamiti sounded his full time whistle in Luxembourg than the broadcaster’s coverage was over.
And immediately after the Euro 2020 warm up friendly they showed a full rerun of an Old Firm classic encounter - even if the ending was one that Rangers fans would rather forget.
It was a breathless encounter at Ibrox from March 2018 with 10-man Celtic eventually edging it with the odd goal in five.
Graeme Murty was in the dug-out as his team twice took the lead in a whirlwind start with Josh Windass opening the scoring before Tom Rogic levelled.
For the second of Rangers’ two goals it was a brilliant volleyed cross from Declan John for Daniel Candeias to fire home.
Full back John only spent one year at Ibrox, initially moving to the club on loan in August 2017 before the move was made permanent in the December, and was one of the few positives during a disastrous period for the club.
As well as that assist for Candeias the Welshman scored a fine leveller against Hamilton Accies - on a night when Pedro Caixinha was under huge pressure - in a 4-1 win for what was his first ever career goal.
John’s fine form earned him an international recall with Ryan Giggs including him in his squad for the China Cup in March 2018 which came almost five years after his previous Welsh inclusion.
Following Steven Gerrard’s appointment as Gers boss a couple of months later, the defender had the enviable position of working under Premier League legends for both club and country.
But unfortunately for John it didn’t last as he was soon heading for the Ibrox exit without kicking a ball for Gerrard, despite travelling to Spain for the pre-season training camp under the former England captain.
Having started out at Cardiff City he moved to the other side of the bitter divide when he signed for Swansea City.
But his three-year journey at the Liberty Stadium came to an end last week when he was released, along with fellow ex-Ger Barrie McKay, by the Welsh side after they again missed out on promotion through the play-offs.
John had been on loan at Bolton Wanderers and is expected to return there but is currently without a club.
It is a far cry from his debut season at Cardiff City playing in front of 75,000 at Old Trafford to starring in the frenzied Old Firm atmosphere but at just 25-years-old John has plenty of time on his side as he weighs up his next career move.
