Winners will face RB Salzburg or Club Brugge for a place in Champions League
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
Salzburg or Club Brugge lie in wait for the winners of this tie in the play-off round to reach the league phase.
Those two meet in Austria tomorrow for the first leg of their tussle.
The Belgians were at Ibrox just a few weeks ago for a friendly.
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
A reminder that the TV coverage is up and running...
Andy Halliday and Peter Lovenkrands are pitchside with presenter Jonathan Sutherland.
Use the tab at the top of the page to tune in.
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
Not surprised to see Tavernier drop to the bench, he’s been well off it at the start of this season. Losing possession far too often, creating chances for the opposition. Surprised with Raskin though, is this one a fitness issue?
Frazer
Image source, SNSNico Raskin and James Tavernier are among the Rangers subs
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
Neil McCann
Former Rangers winger and assistant manager on Sportsound
Martin has six of his own new signings in the starting line up, which might give him some continuity as he hopes these players will have no preconceived ideas of how Rangers have played in the past or thoughts on how the game should go.
They're good players but at times they let themselves down when things get tough.
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
These two have never met before, but Rangers do have recent experience against sides from the Czech Republic.
In March 2021, Slavia Prague won 2-0 against nine men at Ibrox after a 1-1 draw in the first leg to eliminate Steven Gerrard's side from the Europa League at the last 16 stage.
In the following season, Rangers beat Sparta Prague 2-0 in Glasgow and lost 1-0 away in the group phase of the same competition.
They met Sparta again in 2023-24, winning 2-1 at home and drawing 0-0 in the Czech capital.
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
Rangers head coach Russell Martin tells BBC Scotland: "I'm excited for it.
"I think it was an incredible evening against Panathinaikos, the support was amazing, even for a difficult start in that game, and I'm expecting a really big response from the players.
"I think we're so early on, we're six weeks in, so I don't expect everything to be perfect. We are going to take time.
"There's so much change going on on the pitch, off the pitch, but there are some things that just can't be negotiable throughout all of that, so it won't look perfect in terms of the football sometimes, but it needs to be in terms of attitude and mentality and I'm really expecting us to bring that tonight."
On what impact fans can expect from new signing Oliver Antman, who makes his debut from the start, he adds: "He's a good player, he's played in big games for his club and his country. Just good athleticism, a real competitor, good quality, and I think it will give us a different dimension."
On dropping captain James Tavernier, he said: "They're all big decisions, it's the hardest job in the world as a manager to leave people out regardless of who they are, so one decision is not bigger than any other.
"They're all tough calls and hopefully we've made the right ones."
Image source, SNSOliver Antman warming up at Ibrox
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
Derek Ferguson
Former Rangers midfielder on Sportsound
I think Raskin is a top player and there's a lot to like about him. He's Rangers' best player and for him to be on the bench is a big surprise.
Image source, SNSLooks like this young fan agrees with Derek Ferguson...
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
I don't know anything about the comic book character Antman, but I'd be prepared to wager he's a good deal smaller than Plzen goalkeeper Florian Weigele.
The Austrian shot-stopper stands at a mighty 6ft, 9in.
New Rangers signing Oliver Antman will be hoping to make it a miserable night for Weigele.
Image source, SNSPlzen's Merchas Doski, Cheick Souare and Florian Weigele (L-R)
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
Neil McCann
Former Rangers winger and assistant manager on Sportsound
I'm pleased Dessers is back on the side.
I believe he makes Rangers a better side, he's a goal threat.
To leave out Tavernier is a big call, especially after the weekend's post-match press conference comments.
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
Viktoria Plzen took care of Hearts in the Europa League play-off round last season, winning both legs 1-0.
Finalists Manchester United and semi-finalists Athletic Bilbao were the only teams to beat them in the league phase of the tournament as they beat Real Sociedad and drew away to Eintracht Frankfurt on the way to finishing 16th - eight places below Rangers.
Lazio edged the Czechs out 3-2 in the round of 16, while Rangers fell to Bilboa in the last eight.
Image source, SNSViktoria Plzen players celebrate their victory at Tynecastle
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
The BBC Scotland cameras are at Ibrox this evening.
TV coverage begins at 19:30 and you can watch via the tab at the top of the page.
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
Rangers boss Russell Martin was "so proud" of his players after the draw with Panathinaikos in Athens last week.
He wasn't so pleased after Saturday's draw at Fir Park, saying: "We were nowhere near where we need to be" and criticising a "mentality problem".
Yesterday, he insisted those harsh words came from "a place of love".
"They're good people," he said of his players. "But the default is to try and protect yourself when it gets tough, we need to just shift that a little bit."
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
Both teams entered in the second round of qualifying, with Rangers beating Panathinaikos 2-0 at Ibrox and earning a 1-1 draw in Athens.
Viktoria Plzen did it the hard way, losing 1-0 at home to Servette and conceding first in Switzerland before storming back for a 3-2 aggregate success.
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
John Souttar takes on the Rangers captaincy this evening.
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
As expected, the visitors are without Pavel Sulc, with the playmaker on the verge of a move to Olympique Lyon.
Slovenia international Adrian Zeljkovic is also absent from the midfield after his red card away to Servette in the previous round.
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
Rangers captain James Tavernier finds himself on the bench, along with midfielder Nico Raskin.
Cyriel Dessers is restored to the attack and there is a debut for Oliver Antman, with the Finland winger only arriving yesterday.
Jefte and Lyall Cameron also start, with Kieran Dowell and Danilo the others making way.
Teenager Mikey Moore has not yet been registered after agreeing a season-long loan from Tottenham.
Thelo Aasgaard is still injured and there's no place for Hamza Igamane, who has been linked with a move away all summer.
Image source, SNSMax Aarons moves to right-back in place of James Tavernier
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
Rangers: Butland, Aarons, Souttar, Djiga, Jefte, Diomande, Rothwell, Cameron, Antman, Dessers, Gassama.
Substitutes: Kelly, Tavernier, Barron, Cortes, Raskin, Danilo, Bajrami, Dowell, Curtis, Rice, Fernandez, Gentles.
Viktoria Plzen: Wiegle, Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka, Spacil, Ladra, Cerv, Panos, Memic, Durosinmi, Vydra.
Substitutes: Tvrdon, Silhavy, Kabongo, Visinsky, Doski, Souare, Paluska, Havel, Sloncik, Valenta, Adu.
Rangers v Viktoria Plzen (19:45)
Rangers welcome Viktoria Plzen to Ibrox in Champions League qualifying tonight.
After the glee of getting past Panathinaikos in the last round, the mood fell a bit flat on Saturday when Motherwell fought back to hold Russell Martin's side at Fir Park.
The head coach didn't mince his words after the weekend disappointment of dropped points on the opening day of the Premiership, so what kind of response will we see in the first leg against the Czech side?
There's certainly some interesting team news...
Image source, SNSHighlights: Rangers 3-0 Viktoria Plzen
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."
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.
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
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.
'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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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).
Gassama heads in third for Rangers against Plzen
Manager: Russell Martin
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Miroslav Koubek
Formation: 3 - 5 - 2
Manager: Russell Martin
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Miroslav Koubek
Formation: 3 - 5 - 2
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