Highlights: Rangers 3-0 Viktoria Plzen

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Russell Martin said he was "really proud" of Rangers' response as they delivered "amazing energy" and "real moments of quality" in their three-goal first-leg win against Viktoria Plzen in Champions League qualifying.

The Ibrox boss heavily criticised his players' mentality and egos after Saturday's Scottish Premiership draw at Motherwell, and eyebrows were raised when captain James Tavernier and Nicolas Raskin were among four players dropped for this tie.

Cyriel Dessers came in for his first start of the season and was integral in teeing up summer signing Djeidi Gassama to bury the first of his two goals, extending his scoring streak in Europe.

Debutant Oliver Antman, who signed on Tuesday, formed a far more fluent frontline with Dessers and Gassama, who combined with his new team-mate brilliantly before the Finland winger won a penalty after being fouled by Matej Vydra.

Dessers converted from the spot just before the break and it was three shortly after the interval as the impressive Antman raced down the right to pick out Gassama to head in a fourth goal in three European games.

Gassama continues scoring streak in Europe

There were still some shaky moments in defence from the Ibrox side, particularly in the first half as Rafiu Durosinmi planted a header wide and Nasser Djiga had to deny Vydra with a last-ditch block.

But this was a much-improved Rangers display - undoubtedly the best of Martin's short reign - and leaves them within touching distance of a play-off with RB Salzburg or Club Brugge.

"I'm really happy with a lot of it," the Ibrox head coach told BBC Scotland. "A bit annoyed with the last 15 minutes since I felt we had the ball too much in our own half, but that's my job to be demanding of the guys.

"I think from Saturday to today, they took everything on, amazing energy at the start of the game and real moments of quality.

"It's really difficult to learn a lot of detail and apply it with the right intensity and courage all the time, especially after a tough afternoon on Saturday, so I'm really proud of the team."

What was the main talking point?

How Rangers would respond attracted all the intrigue, and respond they did.

Martin's line-up decisions were big calls - he even said so himself - but he was vindicated as his team looked far more balanced with round pegs in round holes.

There is still some tightening up to do defensively, particularly in transition moments, but a dynamic display with the end product to match will delight the Rangers boss.

It could have been an even more comfortable night had Mohamed Diomande's strike, which struck the crossbar, been a couple of inches lower.

Even still, a three-goal first-leg advantage means Rangers almost have two feet in the play-offs, where another tough test awaits.

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Which players stood out?

Gassama continues to look like the standout among Rangers' summer signings and fellow winger Antman added the same level of excitement on the right side.

As well as winning the penalty and setting up Gassama's second, the Finn also could have had a debut goal when his effort was cleared off the goal-line in the first half.

Dessers was key to gelling everything together as the focal point in the attack. Despite dividing opinion, Rangers simply look a better team with him in it.

Meanwhile, Lyall Cameron can also be proud of his night's work in his first Rangers start. The former Dundee man did not look out of place, constantly showing for the ball and helping link midfield and attack.

Dessers nets penalty after Antman tripped in box

The standout stats

  • Dessers' spot kick and assist means he now has 69 goal involvements (52 goals and 17 assists) in 113 Rangers games since signing two summers ago.

  • Gassama is on four goals in as many games since joining from Sheffield Wednesday last month - that is 50% of the tally he managed in 47 matches last term.

What they said

'It's not a big deal' - Martin on Tavernier & Raskin omissions

Rangers winger Oliver Antman: "It was great, a great atmosphere in a great stadium. I think we played some great football and at the weekend we have to continue this."

Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers: "You need this motivation always. It's easy to have this for European games and Old Firm games, but you need it every time because there are no easy games in the Scottish Premiership, so we need to pick up our levels there as well."

Former Rangers winger Peter Lovenkrands: "Antman has shown fantastic promise. He's looking exciting, very, very exciting indeed. For the Rangers fans, it will definitely get them out of their seats."

Ex-Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday: "For the opening 60 minutes, it's clearly been Rangers' best performance under Martin. I was so impressed with Antman. He gets wide and tries to pick players out, he's not just thrashing it in."

Former Rangers winger Neil McCann: "Dessers has to stay in the club. He is the main man to play number nine. He looks the part now and has some belief about him. You need that attitude and belief in the dressing room."

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What's next for Rangers?

Rangers welcome Dundee to Ibrox in the league on Saturday (17:45 BST) before next Tuesday's second leg in the Czech Republic (18:00).

Where next?

Gassama heads in third for Rangers against Plzen

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