THE blueprint has been tried, tried and tried, and tried again. In Spain this evening, Rangers will put it to the test once more.

The balance between defence and attack can be difficult to find, especially in European competition. It is one Steven Gerrard is confident his side can strike, though.

Rangers will encounter their toughest challenge of the campaign to date as they face Villarreal in their Europa League Group G opener.

The grind against Shkupi and narrow win over Osijek seem such a long time ago. The performance in Maribor was described as heroic by Gerrard, while the result in Ufa was the biggest the 38-year-old has earned as a boss.

Matches with Villarreal, Spartak Moscow and Rapid Vienna are the reward for Rangers’ efforts on the continent so far this term and those previous eight encounters will inspire Gerrard’s side this evening.

The wins so far have been hard-fought and owed as much to a defensive resolve as they have an attacking flair. A similar 90 minutes could now await in the Estadio de la Cerámica as Rangers look to add Villarreal to their list of European scalps.

"It's worked for us, hasn't it?,” Gerrard said when asked if Rangers could use a similar approach in Villarreal. "What is it they say, if it's not broken don't fix it?

"Listen, this is a different game for us in different ways but we have to play to our strengths and look at ways we can hurt them.

“We believe we hold a size advantage. So without giving the game-plan away we want to try and put a lot of crosses into their box.

"We want to use set-pieces as a tool as well. We obviously want to be aggressive in a positive way to try and counter how their players are very technically gifted.

"Of course, in terms of organisation and set-up we'll try and be difficult to beat. But we don't want to hang on for 90 minutes.

"Even in the games we have had to hang on that's mainly been down to us being a body down or two bodies down.

"I see this game as a bonus and a treat for the players that they’ve worked really hard for. I don't them to go and hang on for 90 minutes.

"I want them to go and use this stage and this platform to go and give a good account of themselves."

Villarreal may not be in the best of form – the victory over Leganes at the weekend was their first in four attempts in La Liga – but the Yellow Submarines still have enough quality to sink Rangers this evening.

Gerrard’s side must play to their strengths, therefore. Rather than going toe-to-toe with them, they will go head-to-head with Javier Calleja’s side.

“It’s massive,” Gerrard’s said of the importance of set-pieces. “I remember someone once saying to me that it was something like over 30 per cent of goals scored at the top level.

“I look at the profile of our team and the profile of their team and we certainly have a height advantage. Height doesn’t mean you are going to score from set-pieces but it certainly gives you a chance.

“If we get the right delivery at the right times, and have the right people crashing in, I believe we have to use that as one of our tools.

“We’ve seen teams have joy against them, certainly in their box. We’ll have a big team.

“For me, if we can get any set-pieces or positions in the final third, the players will be asked to deliver early.”

Rangers may not be able to match Villarreal technically but few can question the work-rate or endeavour that Gerrard’s side have shown in his first months as a manager.

That was encapsulated in Russia last month as nine-men held firm to withstand an onslaught from Ufa and clinch a Group G berth.

Alfredo Morelos and Jon Flanagan were both sent off at the Neftyanik Stadium and Gerrard knows his side must keep their cool in the stifling Spanish heat.

He said: “I’m thinking of not using the work discipline in the team talk before the game because every time I do we seem to lose one or two players!

“It’s vitally important against top level opposition such as Villarreal. The level will go up now and we’re playing against a fantastic team.

“It’s time my players respected and helped each other by remaining on the pitch as an 11, which certainly gives you a better chance.”

Victory over Villarreal would be an historic one for Rangers and the first time that they have seen off Spanish opposition on their home soil.

It would also be hugely significant for Gerrard as he looks to make a name for himself as a boss and deliver success to Ibrox this term.

The Liverpool legend won’t contemplate his own position, however. Instead, he wants his players to seize the moment in Spain.

“I haven’t really thought about it in terms of myself,” Gerrard said. “Obviously I haven’t really had time to think about myself and what it means to me but to be honest with you it’s more important what it means to the players.

“We have two choices here, that we come and make the numbers up and just enjoy it and tag along through the group or do we actually fancy it and believe in ourselves that we can go and cause a few upsets along the way.

“Can we perform at Ibrox through the group and make it difficult for teams to come, and use our atmosphere in our favour? Can we prove people wrong?

“I think everyone is expecting Villarreal and Moscow to get out of the group, understandably on paper, but football doesn’t always work like that.”