Rangers gave Russell Martin the reaction he demanded as they hammered Viktoria Plzen 3-0 to put them on the verge of progression to the Champions League play-offs.
The head coach let rip after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Motherwell on the opening weekend of the Scottish Premiership season and made big changes for the European tie, with captain James Tavernier and midfielder Nico Raskin among the four players dropped for the third qualifying round first-leg fixture.
Djeidi Gassama and Cyriel Dessers returned to the starting XI with Oliver Antman handed his debut a day after joining, and the big calls paid off.
Cyriel Dessers celebrates putting Rangers 2-0 up from the penalty spot
Gassama fired in either side of Dessers’ penalty as the Gers fans’ jeers turned to cheers as they blew the Czech side away at Ibrox.
They take a commanding lead to Plzen next Tuesday with Salzburg or Club Brugge awaiting the winners.
Improved performance puts Rangers in control
Rangers head coach Russell Martin gives his team the thumbs up
Martin criticised his players’ mentality and egos after Saturday’s draw against Motherwell with Tavernier and Raskin – arguably Gers’ best player last season – left out along with Danilo and Kieran Dowell.
New signing Antman was terrific in his first appearance, with left-back Jefte, midfielder Lyall Cameron and Dessers returning while John Souttar was named captain.
Gassama has scored in all of Rangers CL qualifiers so far this season
Gassama struck first, playing a one-two with Dessers at the edge of the visitors’ box before confidently curling the ball past ‘keeper Florian Wiegele.
Bizarrely Raskin, warming up on the sidelines, was booked by French referee Clement Turpin for apparently trying to interfere at a Plzen throw-in as the Czech side began to exert some pressure.
Antman is fouled by Plzen’s Matej Vydra which results in the penalty
However, when a driving run into the box by Antman ended with him being barged over by Matej Vydra, referee Turpin pointed to the spot for a soft penalty and Dessers sent Wiegele the wrong way.
The third arrived soon after the break as Gassama grabbed his second when he bulleted in a header from a pinpoint Antman cross from the right.
Gassama celebrates with Antman after doubling his goal tally
There were occasional moments of sloppiness in the Gers’ ranks throughout the rest of the second half but they remained unpunished.
Raskin, Danilo and Tavernier all came off the bench when the job was done, before, in the 83rd minute, Gers ‘keeper Jack Butland made a good save from a powerful drive from Amar Memic.
After the negativity of Fir Park, it was a far more positive performance from the home side, although there has to be much more to come from Martin’s men.
Martin ‘so proud’ of reaction from weekend
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Martin was proud of his players’ response to his criticism as they beat Viktoria Plzen 3-0
Rangers head coach Russell Martin:
“I really enjoyed it. I’m proud of the guys because we had a really difficult afternoon and evening on Saturday, because we didn’t do enough running in behind, and our aggression and intensity with the ball.
“But we’re not just ranting and raving, we showed a lot of clips and we tried to do a lot of learning in the meeting room and on the pitch in the last couple of days and they took it on brilliantly.
“The guys that came in the team were fantastic. We’re going to need everyone. You don’t get dropped from this team, people will come in and out quite a lot because we need to be fresh.
“It’s not easy to leave people out. But they came on, the guys that had come out of the team and they came on and did brilliantly as well. So I’m pleased.
“The only thing I’m annoyed about is the last 15 minutes we probably dropped a bit of intensity but it’s understandable with the schedule we’ve had.”
Antman joined Rangers from Go Ahead Eagles on Monday
On Oliver Antman’s debut: “He’s had a long 48 hours, a long medical, got battered with video stuff and a bit on the pitch yesterday with information.
“The first half he wanted a lot of touches and you understand. And then the second half he was devastating really, so many runs in behind.
“[Assistant head coach Matt Gill] showed him and that’s the process we have to embark on, trying to help the player as much as possible. “
Sky Sports to show 215 live Premier League games this season
From this season, Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games this season are on Sky Sports.
