Russell Martin didn’t win any silverware in his brief, forgettable stint as a Rangers player, but he did gain a valuable insight into the standards to which the club aspires.
Only appointed manager on June 5, he had a major job on his hands to recalibrate the squad before the first of three Champions League qualifiers dawned in late July.
When Panathinaikos came out of the hat, the former Southampton boss could have been forgiven for trying to manage expectations, yet he made no attempt to get his excuses in early.