IF EVER proof were needed of Dick Advocaat's stature in world football, the Italian press, notor- iously ruthless in their assessment of managerial prowess, provided it with a glowing appraisal of the Dutchman's tactical ingenuity which, they stated unanimously, proved to be the deciding factor between Rangers and Parma, the newly-acquainted rivals of the European battlefield.

The Dutchman has never been afraid to experiment away from his favoured 4-4-2 formation, not in his short spell in Glasgow, not with previous club PSV Eindhoven, and not when he was coach of the Dutch national team.

With the exception of French goalkeeper Lionel Charbonnier, whose goal-gifting blunder in the Ennio Tardini Stadium tarnished what was a tremendous performance for someone who has only recently returned from a 10-month injury-induced hiatus, Advocaat was widely expected to stay true to the side that forged a 2-0 first-leg lead at Ibrox.

Winger Neil McCann, however, was sacrificed as the coach, sensing the potentially devastating danger emanating from the home side's multi-million pound midfield and much heralded strike-force, utilised the pace and defensive qualities of fringe player Dariusz Adamczuk and opted for a five-man midfield that acted as a dam against the tide of Parma attacks.

Quite simply, Advocaat succeeded in squeezing the life out of a side who, from kick-off, showed the desire to snatch the early goal which they hoped would open the floodgates.

That they did not represented a psychological advantage for Advocaat, a more animated manager throughout a match you are never likely to come across.

As time wore on, his counterpart Alberto Malesani cut an ever more forlorn figure and even when a goal did arrive, Rangers' defence-minded unit showed no sign of cracking under the incessant pressure.

The Gazzetta dello Sport, one of the most respected sports newspapers in the world, summed up the tactical battle succinctly. ''Advocaat was too clever with three defenders that could become six so quickly,'' it read, a glowing tribute to the discipline instilled in the current Rangers team by the Dutchman.

It added, ungrudgingly: ''The Scots built a solid wall and Parma could not make them blink. There was effort and energy, but Malesani could not find the way to make them worried.''

Milan-based Corriere della Sera also heaped praise on Advocaat, and in particular captain Lorenzo Amoruso and Craig Moore, for nullifying the considerable threat of Hernan Crespo and Marco Di Vaio.

It said: ''In effect, Advocaat installed a 3-5-2 system that was a colossal defensive machine. Malesani hoped to unhinge Rangers with Vanoli on the left, but Advocaat guessed his plans easily and countered with the effective Adamczuk.

''Parma, the team that cost billions (lira), have failed.''

Indeed they did, and after a summer spending spree almost reaching the #60m mark, Malesani, a relative newcomer to the managerial scene, has discovered, in the hardest possible way, the precarious nature of the business.

Daily newspaper La Stampa was in no doubt that Malesani was outmanoeuvred in both legs by the Little General, a monicker that has become all the more apt since the successful movement of his troops into the pot of gold that is the Champions' League. ''The 2-0 defeat in Glasgow was a sandstone block that broke Parma's back. Rangers made the match in the Tardini stadium a frenzy and Malesani could not tame the ugly beast,'' it snapped.

The UEFA Cup holders now face another season in the inferior competition, but Malesani opted to remain positive, bearing in mind his side were without several big-name, big-money buys for the tie, which came before the start of their domestic season.

''We weren't in top form but we showed a lot of character,'' he said. ''We've got a great season ahead of us and, remember, we are still going to defend the UEFA Cup. I am convinced we can do well.''

World Cup winner Lilian Thuram was not so philosophical, however. ''The team have missed an important opportunity and so have the club, who have invested so heavily for the coming season. This has been a major blunder,'' he said.

Rangers' army of armchair fans are now in for a Champions' League treat over the coming months, with Scottish Television showing all six group matches live, just as they did during the club's previous forays in the competition.