THIS was the final stop on the road from Luxembourg to Lanarkshire. After one false start this season, Rangers can’t afford a faltering one next weekend.

A trip to Sheffield wasn’t in Pedro Caixinha’s diary at the start of the summer but he had to call in the help of a couple of friends to ensure his side didn’t make the same mistake twice this term.

Thankfully for the Portuguese, compatriots Marco Silva and Carlos Carvalhal obliged and Watford and Sheffield Wednesday have provided the final two tests for Rangers. Pass marks have been earned in both.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha: Rangers are ready for Premiership opener after win over Sheffield Wednesday

A short break and condensed pre-season schedule was hardly the ideal preparation for the Europa League and Rangers paid the price as they were embarrassed by Progres Niederkorn. That night won’t be forgotten or forgiven, but the focus is now on the future.

There was little time to waste for Caixinha as he looked to get his side up to speed for the start of the new Premiership campaign. He will soon find out if a hastily redrawn blueprint has had the required impact.

A run that started with a bounce game defeat against St Johnstone ended with a win over one of the favourites for promotion to the Premier League this term as goals from Josh Windass and Kenny Miller earned the Light Blues victory at Hillsborough. Now the countdown is on to the meeting with Motherwell on Sunday.

Since that humbling, humiliating night in Luxembourg, Rangers have taken small steps on the road to recovery with an impressive performance against Marseille and behind closed victory over Watford.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha: Rangers are ready for Premiership opener after win over Sheffield Wednesday

The time off the park has been as important as that on it for Caixinha as he looks to form a squad as well as a team. With nine new faces on board, it was always going to take time, but just days remain now as the Portuguese prepares for the first of a hugely significant run of fixtures in the first few weeks of the Premiership.

This was the final 90 minutes that Caixinha had to test and tweak but it was used as a dry-run for the trip to Fir Park as the league campaign gets off and running.

The team that will face Motherwell seemingly picks itself at present and there appears to only be one decision – who plays wide left - for Caixinha to make in the coming days, especially after James Tavernier was injured against Watford and missed the Owls clash.

It was Windass that was given another chance to impress on the left of the Gers’ midfield four and he made the most of it as he netted the only goal of a low-key opening period.

The 23-year-old replaced Niko Kranjcar in the side for the Hornets test during the week and kept his spot here. He could have had assist when he picked out Eduardo Herrera after a neat pass from Ryan Jack but the linesman’s flag denied Rangers an early goal.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha: Rangers are ready for Premiership opener after win over Sheffield Wednesday

It would come with just a couple of minutes remaining in the first half, though. Jack was again involved and Windass made no mistake as he drifted in behind the Wednesday defence and finished well after he was picked out by his midfield partner.

It was a neat move that gave the Rangers fans a reason to roar in the Sheffield sunshine. They had required little encouragement to make themselves heard, however, as a several thousand strong travelling support cheered on Caixinha’s side. A handful spilled out of the stands as they celebrated the goal, while a couple of flares and smoke bombs were also let off.

The game was being played in good spirits but it was hardly an eye-catching affair as chances proved few and far between for both sides. A long-range effort from Barry Bannan and a Tom Lees header in the closing seconds of the half were all that Carvalhal’s side could muster.

It was the hosts who started on the front foot after the interval, though. Fabio Cardoso made a late interception after Adam Reach capitalised on a mistake from Hodson, while Wes Foderingham saved from Jordan Rhodes.

The miss from the Scotland international would prove costly for Wednesday as Miller put Rangers well on course for victory ten minutes after the break.

Read more: Pedro Caixinha: Rangers are ready for Premiership opener after win over Sheffield Wednesday

The Owls defence couldn’t deal with Lee Wallace’s cross or Herrera’s physical presence and when the ball dropped in the area, Miller took a touch and rifled a shot into the roof of Kieran Westwood’s net. The keeper was replaced just minutes later after he collided with Wallace as the Gers skipper looked to make it 3-0.

Rangers were more than comfortable as they eased their way towards victory and there was plenty for Caixinha to be satisfied about as the clock ticked down.

Windass saw his afternoon come to an end when he was replaced by Kranjcar, while Alfredo Morelos, Danny Wilson, Martyn Waghorn and Jason Holt were also given late run-outs.

The closing stages were about game management for Rangers and they would finish on the front foot as they attempted to add a shine to the score line.

For Caixinha, his players and the Light Blue legions, the journey home was a far more satisfactory one than their last trip. They don’t have long to wait to put it to good use.