Rangers secured a commanding 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzeň to take a big advantage in the UEFA Champions League fourth qualifying round first leg.
Djeidi Gassama scored a brace for the Scottish side, while Cyriel Dessers added a goal and an assist .
If Rangers see the result through they will face the winner of the tie between RB Salzburg and Club Brugge. If Club Brugge progresses, Dessers could come up against his compatriot Raphael Onyedika.
Earlier in the transfer window, Dessers was linked with a move away from Rangers, but head coach Russell Martin convinced him to stay.
Speaking after the match, Martin praised the Nigeria international’s display:
“We scored some real quality goals tonight. Cyriel [Dessers] did a brilliant job attracting players so others could run in behind, and he held the ball up well.”
Martin also addressed Dessers’ recent lack of starts:
“We haven’t been able to start Cyriel yet because he played one game against Middlesbrough and picked up a slight injury, so we’ve been managing his recovery. He did great tonight.”
Rangers will play their second league match of the season against Dundee on August 9. Three days later, they’ll travel to the Doosan Arena for the return leg against Viktoria Plzeň.
