Rangers

Martin Dowden in Plzen
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Midfielder Lyall Cameron praised "unbelievable" Jack Butland after the goalkeeper's impressive performance helped Rangers secure a Champions League play-off against Club Brugge.

Cameron's second-half equaliser eased pressure for a spell before hosts Viktoria Plzen regained the lead and laid siege to Rangers' goal, with Butland pulling off a number of crucial saves as Russell Martin's men advanced 4-2 on aggregate.

"It's unbelievable," Cameron said. "I've always thought he was a great goalie.

"I remember the first time I went to Ibrox with Dundee. I thought I'd scored in the first minute. He pulled out a worldy save, so I was raging at him for that!

"The way he carries himself about the training ground, the way he does everything is just really good for me to look up to.

"He's always doing extra and all that, it's just good for me to look up to and see that. No matter where he is at in his career, he's still doing that and trying to get better."

Cameron described his first goal for the club as a "massive moment" and insists the team will improve once they implement Martin's style properly.

The 22-year-old is well aware of the scale of the test Club Brugge - who draw 2-2 with Rangers in pre-season - will bring in the first leg at Ibrox next Tuesday.

"Obviously, we know it's not going to be an easy game," he added.

"They're a good side. We played them in a friendly at Ibrox a couple of months ago, so we know they're a good team but that's just what you have to expect to play in the Champions League.

"We need to show that we can compete at that level, and hopefully we will."

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Rangers are just one tie away from the riches and prestige that comes with Champions League qualification, but few who have watched Russell Martin's new side so far this season will be getting carried away.

They have delivered one convincing performance (at home to Viktoria Plzen) in the six they have played and will need to improve significantly before Club Brugge visit Ibrox next midweek if they are to have any chance of overcoming the Belgians.

It is inconceivable that Brugge will not more ruthlessly punish the slackness in possession that has plagued Rangers as they try to adapt to Martin's methods than either Panathinaikos or Plzen were able to.

The head coach says it's a process and that with each passing game and training session, the players will improve in the system, but while they have got away with it in Europe, both Motherwell and Dundee have taken points off them in the league.

The Rangers supporters have not been slow to vent their displeasure. Ibrox on Saturday was an uncomfortable place to be as Martin's decision to bring on Kieran Dowell to try to retrieve the game against Dundee was met with boos from the stands and a generally insipid performance led to the stands emptying long before James Tavernier's penalty earned a point.

Alloa visit on Saturday in the League Cup - a no-win scenario for Martin, but an opportunity potentially to introduce Mikey Moore and Thelo Aasgaard into the team.

Much is expected of both as Rangers stand on the cusp of something special, but only if they can address critical issues that threaten to derail their season almost before it has begun.

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We asked for your views on Rangers second-leg defeat at Viktoria Plzen as Russell Martin's side advanced to a Champions League play-off with Club Brugge.

Here's what some of you said:

Steven: I'm lost for words to describe this team. Given what is at stake, this was as disjointed and as lacklustre as I've seen. As much as the Champions League money would be a game-changer for the club, the humiliation we will suffer could be unbearable. The manager is running out of time. Performances, this one included, are just not good enough and the manager appears to be too stubborn to adapt.

Phil: After another lacklustre performance I am praying to the football gods that we don't make it into the Champions League group stages with this team because I don't think I could deal with the humiliation and embarrassment that would follow when we come up against a top European team.

John: Nicolas Raskin has proven again how important he is to this Rangers team. Immense performance with breaking up Plzen attacks and driving our own attack forward, ably assisted by Lyall Cameron and Jack Butland. Our central defence need to watch back their performance on the ball, woeful is an understatement. Thought James Tavernier was good also, considering the last few weeks, well done captain, well done Rangers, we move on to the Belgians next week now.

Elaine: I'd have bitten your hand off at the start of the season, with a new team, to get to the Champions League play-offs. Okay it's not pretty, but it's money in the bank. Hopefully we'll have some new players in by next week and who knows. Bring it on!

Alex: It was awful, truly awful giving the ball away far too often, didn't even try to attack, fell asleep for both of their goals. Martin's football is dire to watch, good job they weren't clinical, it could have been a lot worse. We will have to play a lot better against Club Brugge, they are a stronger opposition.

Alan: Same old rubbish - Martin needs to forget we are not Man City and change style or he will make these players even more less confident on the park. Terrible style to watch.

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Former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell on BBC's Scottish Football Podcast

It was a sloppy performance. They got over the line, they got the job done and that's what they were there to do, make sure they progressed to the Champions League play-off.

There's real worrying signs there for me. They were very sloppy in possession last night, gave the ball away, turned it over far too much and allowed the opposition, again, too many opportunities.

It hurt them, they got beat, but ultimately it was job done. But they're going to have to improve and pretty quickly as well.

Ex-Rangers striker Steven Thompson on BBC Sportsound

The job was done at Ibrox last week and this team didn't have enough quality to pull it back, another team might have.

Plzen gave everything, they were dead on their feet at the end of the game and they threw everything they could at it. If they could just finish they might have had a chance.

Herald football writer Stephen McGowan on BBC's Scottish Football Podcast

I think the worry is the level of the opposition. Rangers rode their luck against Panathinaikos, they rode their luck against Victoria Plzen at times. Jack Butland is there to make saves so we can't have any quibbles with that.

I think the concern is that if this Rangers team goes into the Champions League trying to pass the ball out from the back as you do they will be badly, badly exposed. And that's got to be a big worry just now.

Former Rangers midfielder Ian McCall on BBC Sportsound

They're through, that's all really you can say about it. I thought when Lyall Cameron got his first goal for Rangers they would have kicked on but the game kind of panned out like we thought it would.

Rangers will have a chance in the next round but they'll need to defend a lot better.

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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"We have a lot to work on, but we're through."

It was obvious why Russell Martin was unhappy with Rangers' performance in Plzen. His side conceded 27 shots, a staggering 21 of them coming from inside their penalty area.

As a result, the Czechs ended with an expected goals rating of 3.31, with Jack Butland making eight saves, with the one to deny Prince Adu truly world class.

Given Rangers' impressive first-leg performance in the Champions League qualifier, a one-off poor display with a comfortable 3-0 aggregate lead could be forgiven given the end 4-2 aggregate result.

But early in the season, it has been a pattern. Rangers have conceded 97 shots in their six games so far, an average of 16 per game.

Had Plzen, Panathinaikos, Motherwell, or even Dundee been more clinical then it could easily be a different story in this nascent campaign.

"Plzen had four 100% chances and took one of them - and they all came from Rangers' mistakes," former Ibrox midfielder Ian McCall said on Sportsound.

"They were shoddy and shabby, but the name of the game is getting into the next round.

"There's an awful lot of money at stake, and they'll have a chance. But they'll need to defend a lot better in terms of not giving the ball away in dangerous areas."

Read more: 'Shoddy & shabby' Rangers do what they need to

Rangers are keen on West Ham midfielder Andy Irving, Celtic continue to monitor the Scotland international after making a late approach in January, while Cologne, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Stuttgart and Sturm Graz have contacted the London club and there is also Serie A interest in the 25-year-old. (The Scotsman), external

Real Betis and Rangers have agreed a £2.6m fee, with a 20% sell-on clause, for 20-year-old centre-half Nobel Mendy, who is expected in Scotland on Wednesday to have a medical and sign a four-year contract. (Sacha Tavolieri on X), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland in Plzen

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Rangers head coach Russell Martin has confirmed striker Cyriel Dessers suffered a knee injury which "looks a nasty one" after being forced off in the second half of their 2-1 second-leg defeat in Pilsen.

"He's in a brace now," Martin said. "We have to wait and see over the next number of days."

The Ibrox head coach confirmed to BBC Scotland that the injury seemed serious, which casts doubt on his availability for the Champions League play-off first leg against Club Brugge at Ibrox next Tuesday.

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Rangers head coach Russell Martin told BBC Scotland: "I am really pleased with [progressing]. There were some good moments in the game we didn't make the most of, but I'm disappointed with the number of shots and chances they have and most of it's self-inflicted.

"Our level of quality on the ball and decision making wasn't good enough. If we are not as clean with the ball as we should be, we have to be more aggressive.

"We have a lot to work on, but we're through. Both goals are outrageous and we have to defend better, but we defend more than we should have because we are sloppy with the ball.

"[Danilo] really helped us with the ball, the way he took it in, and he was so clean and he deserved to get on the end of some of the moves where the final balls through to him were not good enough.

"That summed up our night. We broke through the press relentlessly in the first half, played into the front really quickly, much earlier than the weekend. But, when we get there, the ball gets turned over and we are defending again.

"I don't mind losing the ball in their half if we are being so aggressive, but it was sloppy little details."

Rangers progressed to a Champions League play-off with Club Brugge, but only after riding their luck against a dominant Viktoria Plzen side in the Czech Republic.

Have your say on the game here.

Read the full match report here.

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Jack Butland is convinced Russell Martin will get it right at Rangers - but knows results are the only thing that can earn the head coach breathing space.

Having come in for criticism after opening the Premiership with back-to-back draws, Rangers take a 3-0 lead into the second leg of their Champions League third-round qualifier away to Viktoria Plzen tonight.

"A real professional performance is needed to get the job done and get through to the next stage of Champions League qualifying, which is hugely important for us as a club and everything that brings, and a game so quick after the weekend is important to get to winning ways," said goalkeeper Butland.

"I think there has, regardless of results, been a massive buy-in. The boys are really keen to want to be successful in trying to get things right.

"I've been here long enough. The fans aren't stupid. They need results. We need results. And that really needs to be in the forefront of everybody's mind. No matter the game, no matter the fixture.

"Talking is, to a point, great, but we need to show the performances, show the desire, the effort that's been put in, in results. And that's the only way that it's going to be accepted."

On new boss Martin, Butland adds: "From the get-go I've been really impressed with how he how he's carried himself, how he's communicated with the group. How he's implemented and coached us and shown us exactly what's expected of how he wants to play.

"I really believe in what we're trying to do. I believe in the manager. We'll do this together and we'll get a lot better as we go.

"But it always comes back to results first and foremost. And we need to keep them going and obviously improve some in the league."

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

After the emphatic win over Viktoria Plzen last week I was looking forward to the game against Dundee, but in true Rangers fashion we made a complete mess of it.

The 1-1 draw left me pondering what are we actually trying to do here?

We have all seen the passing stats regarding John Souttar and Nasser Djiga. However, another issue is that striker Cyriel Dessers had 11 touches inside the Dundee box and didn't register a legitimate shot on goal.

That's a massive issue, especially when you are coming up against a team that uses the low block.

This is not a new thing for Rangers. We move the ball at a snail's pace. Souttar spends too much time in possession, which allowed Dundee to get back into position and cover passing lanes. That's why you find yourself in a position where the two centre-backs have the most touches.

The midfield needs a reshuffle. Joe Rothwell looks like a number eight playing as a six. Nico Raskin should be in the starting line-up as the six and Mo Diomande looks completely lost.

The three in midfield play far too wide. The full-backs don't look comfortable inverting. Instead, all three - James Tavernier, Max Aarons and Jefte - look much more at ease overlapping.

Djeidi Gassama is the shining light in attack, but if we are being so safe in possession for 75 minutes of the 90, it's easy to see why we aren't bothering teams at the top end of the pitch. It hardly screams recipe for success.

Two games into the league season, we are trailing, and it looks like it could get a lot worse before it gets better.

We shall see how things go tonight in Plzen. After last week it should be a stress-free evening, but so far, you can't trust this team or manager to give you that.

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Does Russell Martin need to "swallow his principles" to get Rangers winning on the domestic front?

The Ibrox side have struggled to create against well-drilled defences in starting the Premiership season with successive draws with Motherwell and Dundee as new boss Martin strives to imprint his possession-based style.

"Martin needs to swallow his principles ever so slightly in the short term to get results, to stay in touch and then slowly but surely try and build his way of playing into it," said former striker Rory Loy on the BBC's Scottish football podcast.

"You see against Dundee on Saturday - they were so passive. The ball was moved so slowly. John Souttar had a ridiculous amount of passes compared to some other players on the team, which tells its own story.

"I think Martin needs to take a wee look and go, right, what is the best way for me to get results domestically? It might not be this pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, because they need to keep in touch with Celtic. If they go seven, eight, nine, 10 points behind, they're done."

While Rangers are on course for the Champions League play-off round - they take a 3-0 first-leg lead to Viktoria Plzen tonight - they already trail Celtic by four points in the Premiership, with the Old Firm derby looming at the end of the month.

Scott McDermott, chief football writer at the Daily Record, says the atmopshere at Ibrox after last weekend's draw with Dundee was "toxic".

"They can't implement this change while winning games that they should be winning," he added.

"Let's not beat about the bush, Dundee and Motherwell first two games. It's a kind start for Rangers and they have not won a game yet.

"If this St Mirren game gets postponed by Rangers in the play-off round, their next Premiership game will be against Celtic. If they lose that, and I know it's hypothetical, but to potentially go 10 points behind Celtic by the end of August, I think it's just disastrous for the manager and the fans.

"The fans are really angry. On Saturday, two league games in, it was getting toxic at Ibrox already."

Palmeiras have opened talks with Rangers over a potential £5m deal for left-back Jefte, according to reports in Brazil. (Daily Record), external

Real Betis have confirmed Nobel Mendy's exit from the club is imminent, with the 20-year-old poised for a £2m move to Rangers. (The Herald - subscription required), external

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Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Russell Martin has indicated that Rangers will play their next Premiership fixture away to St Mirren, but says a final decision has not been made.

The Ibrox club have the option to postpone the match if they overcome Viktoria Plzen and reach the Champions League play-off round.

Martin's side hold a three-goal lead going into Tuesday's second leg in the Czech Republic, thanks to a Djeidi Gassama double and Cyriel Dessers' penalty at Ibrox.

Celtic could hold a seven-point lead over their Glasgow rivals if they beat Livingston and Rangers do not play St Mirren, sparking questions as to whether postponement might add more pressure to Martin's side after two opening league draws.

Centre-half Nasser Djiga potentially missing that Celtic visit should the St Mirren match be delayed, following his red card in the 1-1 draw against Dundee last weekend, added more concern.

"No decision has been made either way," Martin said.

"We were told that the option would be there. I think the plan has always been to play the game, if we get through this.

"So it's been flexible but the league table this early on will not dictate what we do with the game, honestly.

"We're not even at the end of August yet. So we'll see, but our league position, the points total and all that stuff will not dictate what we do with the St Mirren game at all.

"At the minute, I expect we'll play it. And if that changes, because of whatever reason, we feel it will help us."

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Rangers head coach Russell Martin has been speaking to the media before the second leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie against Viktoria Plzen.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Mikey Moore, Thelo Aasgaard, and Hamza Igamane will all be ready to play on Saturday, "all being well," but none of the trio will feature in the Czech Republic.

• Martin has "loved the energy" from the players since their 1-1 draw with Dundee on Sunday. He says they will be "better for it" and keep getting "better and better".

• Martin says they "can't get too emotional" about the Dundee result and says it's time to focus and look forward to the second leg against Plzen, into which they take a 3-0 lead.

• If Rangers progress, Martin says no decision has been made on whether to postpone Rangers' league match against St Mirren on Sunday, 24 August, but did say "the plan has always been to play the game".

• The former Scotland defender says the three-goal advantage does not diminish the pressure on his players and insists they will be looking to also win the second leg.

• On Nico Raskin, Martin says uncertainty over the midfielder's future had "an impact", but was keen to praise the Belgian's "character and personality".

• Martin insists he expects Raskin to stay at Ibrox beyond this summer unless "someone comes in and blows our minds".

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Mikey Moore, currently on loan at Rangers, has signed a new contract with his parent club, Tottenham.

The Premier League club say his new deal is a "long-term" contract.

Moore joined Rangers at the start of the month, but has yet to feature under Russell Martin as he has been waiting for international clearance on his loan move.

However, the winger should now be eligible for the Ibrox side's League Cup tie with Alloa on Saturday (17:45 BST) as he turns 18 today.

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Former Rangers boss Michael Beale believes new manager Russell Martin "deserves time" at the Ibrox club.

Beale was sacked by the Glasgow club back in 2023 after falling seven points behind Celtic, having played just seven league games and referred to the atmosphere in Govan as "a cauldron".

This term, Rangers sit four points behind Celtic after two games, with Martin yet to lead his side to a first Premiership win of the season.

However, Beale is confident that Martin, who took over this summer, and the new majority shareholders will be a success at Ibrox.

"In the summer, the club has had a complete reset, and with that it's going to take time for the new owners to really instil the culture they want behind the scenes," Beale told Sky Sports, external.

"It's a huge job but I know he's super confident.

"Russell has a way he wants to play football, it's different to the last coach so give him time to implement that. You've got new players going into what is a huge football club, there are huge demands there, so those players need time to settle.

"The result at the weekend wasn't ideal, but there's a long season ahead. "It is a cauldron, and the fans are very demanding because of the history of the club and what they've seen.

"Also, the journey over the last 10 or 12 years to come back through the leagues. I think what the club's achieved is sometimes overlooked; coming back through the leagues, they won the league, getting to the Europa League final, they have won trophies.

"The club needs stability, the new ownership going in is hugely positive, it will give the club a stable footing from a boardroom perspective.

"The manager deserves time, patience isn't a word that's heard in Glasgow, but that's what he needs".

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Former Scotland international Michael Stewart thinks Rangers could be nearing "implosion" if Russell Martin's side don't show signs of "marked improvement" following their draw with Dundee on Saturday.

Rangers were booed off the Ibrox pitch after the 1-1 draw to leave Martin with two points from his first two Premiership games.

The side had shown signs of promise against Viktoria Plzen last week but have often been unable to replicate their European displays in domestic fixtures.

Speaking to BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Stewart said Rangers' struggle was down to Steven Pressley's side sitting in as opposed to the openness of Plzen.

"Because Plzen weren't sitting in trying to hold on to a result," Stewart pinpointed as the reason for the poor performance.

"Dundee were defensive, resilient and didn't look to open up their low block. They had three centre-halves who were just lapping up the balls into the box.

"As Russell Martin said last week, Rangers lacked intensity and pace in their play, which he isn't wrong about, but it makes you question what the message was before the game.

Stewart also believes poor recruitment and a lack of leadership within the squad has been the consistent factor in their substandard domestic performances.

He added: "I think it's about big characters and big leaders, which I just don't see in the Rangers team.

"I spoke last week about how they have been building on shifting sands since they went into administration. Maybe other than two years with [Steven] Gerrard but after the first wave of selling on players, there was nothing behind it.

"They didn't recruit well and changed managers constantly. It just seems like rinse and repeat, all these managers come in and say the right things but the actions belittle those words.

"If you're looking for intensity, desire and grit then you have to sign the appropriate players and it doesn't look like they've done that.

"Where are the leaders in this Rangers team?

"The concern at Ibrox is the fans' patience is virtually nil, and if they don't see marked improvement and quickly, there could be an implosion".