Rangers reach Champions League playoffs despite Plzen loss

Lyall Cameron of Rangers celebrates his goal

Rangers advanced to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) play-off round after a 4-2 aggregate victory over Viktoria Plzen, despite falling to a 2-1 defeat on the night, which ends Russell Martin’s five-match unbeaten start as manager (W2, D3).

Plzen’s fans unveiled a pre-match tifo claiming: “The Goddess is with us”, and it felt like divine intervention may be needed to turn around a 3-0 first-leg deficit. The Czechs certainly seemed up for the challenge though, epitomised when Lukas Cerv rallied the crowd after his long-range shot sailed wide.

The hosts’ pressing game was working well, as Vaclav Jemelka rifled another speculative attempt over the bar. In contrast, Martin’s side didn’t need to force the issue, with Jefte’s darting run and shot their only opportunity of note in the opening half hour.

Nothing seemed to be causing Jack Butland too much cause for concern until Cerv’s speculative effort swerved awkwardly in the air, forcing the Rangers keeper to parry the ball to safety before batting away Karel Spacil’s header from the resulting corner.

However, the hosts deservedly broke the deadlock in the 40th minute through Rafiu Durosinmi, who clinically fired home from close range from Amar Memic’s excellent cross.

Martin would have been sitting rather uncomfortably in the dugout, witnessing how sluggish his side began the second half. Jemelka turned and shot over the bar, before the lively Memic bamboozled the Gers’ defence and sent his angled strike just wide of the far post.

To make a tense situation worse, frontman Cyriel Dessers was forced off injured and replaced by Danilo. The Brazilian made the best-possible impact, though, providing the assist for Lyall Cameron to divert a brilliant instinctive finish past Martin Jedlicka, re-establishing Rangers’ three-goal aggregate advantage.

Miroslav Koubek’s side remained undeterred despite the huge uphill battle, as Christophe Kabongo dragged his attempt wide from Prince Kwabena Adu’s excellent cut-back.0Butland was then called into action moments later to make a fine save to deny the Ghanaian.

The Glaswegians were looking anything but convincing in the closing stages, and Butland was their last line of defence, again tipping over Milan Havel’s header.

Plzen would go out of the competition fighting as Svetozar Markovic headed the hosts back in front from Kabongo’s sublime cross.

Ultimately, Martin’s side did enough to move a step closer to a first UCL main draw appearance since the 2022/23. Should they qualify, Europe’s elite will have little to fear, judging by the evidence of tonight’s display.

Plzen, meanwhile, drop down to the UEFA Europa League.

You can find more on the match here

The key stats