First there was the silence followed by the noise, respectfully and then rousingly observed in marking the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. And how Ibrox revelled in defying UEFA instruction with a hearty chorus of God Save the King.
Rangers had confirmed in the hours before kick-off that they would be playing the national anthem, honouring the wishes of their supporters as opposed to the suits from Switzerland.
But even the UEFA delegation present would admit this was a fitting tribute to the late Queen, whose portrait hangs in the home dressing-room. It was, hopefully, a forerunner of the scenes we will witness across Premier League grounds this weekend.
A pin could have dropped in the car park during the minute's silence and you would have heard it inside this stadium, such was the reverence shown, all to the backdrop of a Union Jack mosaic carrying Her Majesty's silhouette.
The worry, when the action began, was that Rangers would be chasing shadows of their own. Not a chance. Much like their fans before the game, the players did their club proud. Defiance was the mantra of the evening.
Yes, it is a second defeat to leave Rangers bottom of a daunting Group A, but that had as much to do with some suspect officiating.
The opening goal was scored by Matteo Politano from the penalty spot on 68 minutes before substitutes Giacomo Raspadori and Tanguy Ndombele added some undue gloss with a pair of close-range finishes late on, although the full story that is not.
Rangers started ferociously and should have been in front inside 30 seconds when Alfredo Morelos headed wide from six yards when unmarked. And the hosts enjoyed the better of the chances until the real drama — and controversy —unfolded just before the hour.
Giovanni Simeone was sent clear but, with Jamie Sands sliding to recover, the striker was sent tumbling. It looked like the defender had got something of the ball but referee Antonio Maheu Lahoz disagreed and pointed to the spot, showing Sands a second yellow.
Rangers were furious, but then began the fun. Piotr Zielinski took the spot-kick and McGregor saved, only for Politano to lash in from the rebound. Goal? Not so. The forward had encroached and the penalty would be retaken. Quite how Napoli got another shot from 12 yards following their infringement is anyone's guess.
Zielinski thought he could outwit McGregor by taking exactly the same penalty but, at 40, the veteran keeper is not one to be made a mug of and duly produced another flying save.
And it was only another debatable decision which tipped the game in Napoli's favour, Rangers defender Borna Barisic adjudged to have handled from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's blast. It was close enough for Barisic to feel harshly treated. Politano stepped up to drive beneath McGregor.
But Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst can be encouraged by his side's performance. They were only one goal shy of a third straight 4-0 defeat, yet this felt very different for the majority. Now for a mouthwatering double-header against Liverpool.
