(Credit: Imago / Getty Images)

Ben Palmer

Tue 5 August 2025 21:49, UK

Rangers cruised to a commanding 3-0 win in their Champions League tie against Viktoria Plzen thanks to a wonderful performance from Djeidi Gassama.

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Barring a complete collapse in the second leg in the Czech Republic, the Bears will face off against Club Brugge in the next round of Champions League qualification.

Russell Martin made the bold decision to drop Nico Raskin, but his side responded well after the disappointing draw against Motherwell at the weekend by taking an early lead through Gassama.

A calm finish from the penalty spot from Cyriel Dessers made it two, before Gassama doubled his tally to give Rangers a 3-0 lead heading into the second leg.

Russell Martin will have been delighted with his team’s performance.

(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Jack Butland – 8

Butland has been under pressure at Rangers after a poor 2024/25 campaign, but the former Stoke City man was a commanding presence.

Max Aarons (off for Tavernier 73?) – 7

Encouraging.

Replacing James Tavernier in the starting XI, Aarons lacked the offensive impact his compatriot offers, but his defending is a major upgrade.

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Nasser Djiga – 8

Excellent.

Caught out in possession several times but was just inches away from scoring before Gassama made it 3-0.

Joe Rothwell (off for Raskin 63?) – 5

Strong start to his Rangers career in previous games, but the midfielder was off the boil against Plzen and was hooked after an hour.

(Credit Imago)

Lyall Cameron (off for Barron 73?) – 6

Solid start.

Won a penalty and then delivered a perfect cross to Gassama for Rangers’ third of the night on his debut for the club.

Cyriel Dessers (off for Danilo 73?) – 8

Rangers are prepared to accept offers for Dessers this summer, but the striker showed his value with a composed finish from the penalty spot, so perhaps they should rethink.

Cyriel Dessers was in fine form against Viktoria Plzen.

Gassama joined from the financially-stricken Sheffield Wednesday this summer, and the French winger made it four goals in three Champions League games with his strikes against Plzen.

Substitutes

Raskin (on for Rothwell 63?) – 4

Booked whilst on the bench in the first half, then put in silly tackle after silly tackle, seemingly desperate to earn a red card.

Danilo (on for Dessers 73?) – 6

Lively, but lacking in end product, the story of his time at Ibrox since joining from Feyenoord.

(Credit: Manh Tung – Breaking Media)

Connor Barron (on for Cameron 74?) – 7

Barron was impressive in the midfield, repeatedly breaking up any chance Plzen had of countering.

James Tavernier (on for Aarons 74?) – 6

Defended well in his brief cameo on the pitch as Aarons’ replacement.

Findlay Curtis (on for Antman 85?) – 6

The youngster did not have much of an opportunity to show off his talents with Rangers looking to see the game out.

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