Russell Martin’s Rangers took a confident stride towards the Champions League play-off round with a commanding 3-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox on Tuesday evening. The team was so dominant over their Czech opponents that the Plzen defenders might as well have brought deckchairs to enjoy the Glasgow scenery!
The first leg of this third qualifying round tie saw young Djeidi Gassama bag a brace, with Cyriel Dessers slotting home from the penalty spot to complete the scoring. Gassama, who also netted Rangers’ only goal against Panathinaikos in the previous round, continued his impressive form by opening the scoring after 15 minutes, finishing neatly following some clever interplay with Dessers.
Rangers’ Gassama Gamble Paying Dividends
The £2.2 million Rangers paid Sheffield Wednesday for Gassama last month is looking like a bargain based on his start in Glasgow. The 21-year-old has now netted four times in his first few appearances, including his brace against Plzen. He’s quickly becoming one of Martin’s most trusted performers and looks set to be crucial to Rangers’ ambitions both domestically and in Europe this season.
Igamane Not Irreplaceable After All
Hamza Igamane has been a solid performer since his £1.7 million move from AS FAR last summer, notching 16 goals in 46 appearances. With potential interest from Everton and European clubs, and a price tag approaching £20 million, it’s worth noting that Dessers’ performance against Plzen suggests Rangers could cope without Igamane if necessary. The 30-year-old showed excellent hold-up play and dispatched his penalty with confidence.
Martin’s Selection Gambles Pay Off
Much pre-match chatter surrounded Martin’s team selection following Rangers’ disappointing league start against Motherwell. The manager wasn’t afraid to make big calls, dropping established names like Tavernier, Raskin, and Dowell in favor of Jefte, Cameron, and new signing Antman. The reshuffle worked brilliantly, with both Cameron and Antman impressing in a comfortable victory.
Counter-Attack Could Be Rangers’ Secret Weapon
The Gers’ counter-attacking approach was instrumental against Plzen, with Bournemouth loanee Max Aarons repeatedly launching attacks with penetrating balls to Antman down the right flank. This strategy directly contributed to both the penalty and the third goal. If Gassama and Antman can cement their places on the wings, these rapid transitions could be a key strategy for Rangers, though Martin will need to develop alternative strategies against defensive domestic opponents.
Aarons’ Arrival Signals Tavernier Transition
Despite scoring Rangers’ only goal against Motherwell last weekend, club captain James Tavernier found himself on the bench as Aarons took the right-back position against Plzen, with Jefte on the left. Aarons’ energetic and quality display suggests the 33-year-old Tavernier may be transitioning from first-team regular to club elder statesman. While Tavernier’s legendary status at Ibrox remains untouched, it might be time for him to hand over the reins.
The second leg in Plzen awaits, but based on this performance, Rangers fans have every reason to be optimistic about their Champions League qualification prospects.