Cyriel Dessers delivered a statement performance for Rangers on Tuesday night, scoring one and assisting another as the Scottish giants thrashed Viktoria Plzen 3-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie at Ibrox.
The Super Eagles striker, making his first start of the season, laid on the opener for Djeidi Gassama and confidently tucked away a penalty just before half-time.
Gassama added a third shortly after the restart, heading in a cross from debutant Oliver Antman.
It was a night of redemption for Dessers, who joined Rangers from Cremonese in July 2023 but has struggled to fully win over supporters since his debut in a 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock.
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The 30-year-old was close to a €2m move to AEK Athens earlier this summer, but the deal fell through and on Tuesday, he reminded fans of his value in a Rangers shirt.
Cyriel Dessers converting his penalty. Photo Credit: Getty Images
The commanding win followed a turbulent weekend for manager Russell Martin, whose side were held 1-1 by Motherwell in their Scottish Premiership opener.
Martin criticised the team’s mentality and intensity, leading to sweeping changes for the European tie.
Captain James Tavernier and midfielder Nico Raskin arguably Rangers standout performer last season were dropped, along with Danilo and Kieran Dowell.
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Dessers and Gassama returned to the starting XI, while Antman made his debut just 24 hours after signing, and Lyall Cameron also came in.
Martin’s selection gamble paid off.
“I really enjoyed it,” said the Rangers boss. “I’m proud of the guys because Saturday was a difficult afternoon and evening. We didn’t do enough running in behind, and we lacked aggression and intensity with the ball.”
Photo Credit: Getty Images
“But we didn’t just rant and rave, we showed the players clips, did a lot of learning in the meeting room and on the training pitch. They took it on brilliantly.”
The win marks Rangers’ most convincing performance under Martin since his appointment in the summer, with the team showing a sharper edge in attack and greater cohesion across the pitch.
Rangers now carry a three-goal cushion into the return leg in the Czech Republic next week.
Victory would set up a playoff tie against either RB Salzburg or Club Brugge, with a place in the Champions League group stage at stake.
