Rangers 3-0 Viktoria Plzen
Gassama (15′ 51′) Dessers (45′ pen)
Rangers took a huge step towards the Champions League Play-off round after a 3-0 victory in the 3rd round 1st leg against Viktoria Plzen.
Demanding a response after an opening-day draw against Motherwell, Russell Martin made four changes to his team. He dropped club captain James Tavernier and Nico Raskin to the bench, while bringing in last year’s top goalscorer Cyriel Dessers and new signing Oliver Antman.
Martin also rewarded Lyall Cameron with his first European start after singling out the former Dundee midfielder’s efforts off the bench on Saturday.
Coming off a thrilling 2-0 comeback win against Swiss side Servette last week, the visitors had the first real chance of the game. Memic found space on the right and delivered a cross, but last week’s hero, Durosinmi, couldn’t direct his shot on target.
However, it was Rangers who took the lead with a clever move in the 14th minute. Gassama played a sharp pass to Dessers, who immediately returned it with a delicate through ball. The winger then skillfully curled his shot past Wiegele, netting his third European goal of the campaign. The goal brought Ibrox to life after a quiet start.
Despite going behind, the Czech side looked threatening. Memic once again found room on the right, but his drilled pass intended for captain Matej Vydra was well blocked by Djida. Rangers quickly countered, with Lyall Cameron picking out Gassama on the left. The winger’s pass found new signing Oliver Antman, but his shot was blocked right on the line.
Manager Russell Martin, who had been critical of his team’s performance on Saturday, would have been delighted with his side’s attacking football. Although Plzen enjoyed a brief spell of pressure, the home side consistently created the better scoring opportunities.
Rangers’ good play was rewarded on the stroke of halftime. Gassama released Oliver Antman into the box, and after being fouled, Cyriel Dessers calmly slotted the resulting penalty past the towering 6-foot-9 Wiegele, sending Rangers into the break with a commanding lead.
The fulltime whistle on Saturday evening was met with rousing boos from the Rangers faithful; tonight was a stark contrast.
The second half began with the home side picking up right where they left off. Cyriel Dessers linked up with Diomande, whose curling left-footed strike from the edge of the box narrowly clipped the top of the crossbar.
Just minutes later, Rangers found their third goal with another efficient attack. The electric Oliver Antman burst down the right and delivered a perfect cross for Gassama, who glanced in for his second goal of the night.
After the hour mark, Plzen began to show signs of life. Sloncik came close with a shot from the edge of the box, but it sailed just over the bar. Despite the visitors’ late pressure, Rangers maintained control.
Standout performances were plentiful for the home side. Both Dessers and Lyall Cameron had exceptional games and were deservedly given a rousing ovation as they were substituted in the 73rd minute.
Hoping to replicate their success in Scotland from last year—when they beat Hearts in a Europa League playoff—Viktoria Plzen fought to find a consolation goal. Memic fired a powerful 35-yard shot, but it was straight at Jack Butland. In the final minutes, Sloncik’s whipped free-kick sailed just over the crossbar.
As the final whistle blew, a palpable sense of optimism filled Ibrox. This was a clinical and much-improved performance from Russell Martin’s men. They appear well on their way to the Champions League play-off round but will first travel to Czechia next Tuesday for the return leg.
Rangers: Butland, Aarons (Barron 74′), Souttar, Djida, Jefte, Rothwell (Raskin 64′), Cameron (Tavernier 74′), Diomande, Antman (Curtis 85′), Gassama Dessers (Danilo 74′)
Bookings: Raskin 31’ Jefte 41’ Raskin 64’
Viktoria Plzen: Wiegele, Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka, Memic, Panos (Valenta 46’), Cerv, Ladra (Visinsky 56’), Spacil (Doski 87′), Vydra (Sloncik 57’), Durosinmi (Adu 65’)
Bookings: Markovic 19’ Valenta 87′
