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 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.
More to follow.
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.
