“Rangers’ New Star Leaves Viktoria Plzen in SHAMBLES! Czech Media Loses It Over Mind-Blowing Debut!”
Rangers take firm control with 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in Champions League qualifier.
The Czech side travelled to Ibrox on 5 August and were comprehensively dismantled by a dominant Rangers team that could easily have scored more.
While Russell Martin was not entirely satisfied with his side’s display – pointing to a spell of passiveness late on – the Scottish manager will nonetheless be thrilled with the emphatic result against Miroslav Koubek’s men.
Czech outlets reacted sharply, noting both Rangers’ excellence and Plzen’s struggles in Glasgow.
Plzen feel the absence of Pavel Sulc
Journalist David Cermak, writing in the 6 August print edition of MF DNES (page 16), described the visitors as having been “torn apart” by the Light Blues.
He lamented the summer loss of 24-year-old attacking midfielder Pavel Sulc to Olympique Lyon, suggesting his departure left a clear void in the team.
In Plzensky Denik (6 August), Zdenek Soukup went further, branding the defeat as leaving Koubek’s side in a “hopeless” position ahead of the return leg at the Doosan Arena on 12 August.
Meanwhile, Ruik (5 August) praised the hosts for delivering a “three-goal lesson,” arguing that Plzen simply did not merit a positive outcome.
Gassama stars in statement win
Young French forward Gassama opened the scoring in the 15th minute before doubling his tally shortly after the break.
The 21-year-old summer signing from Sheffield Wednesday caused persistent problems for the Plzen defence.
In iDNES, George Cihak highlighted the winger’s relentless left-flank runs, saying he made Amar Memic’s “head spin” with his attacking play.
Rangers now hold a commanding lead, leaving fans confident of progression to the next round.
Oliver Antman, making his competitive debut for the Gers, also impressed. The 23-year-old Finland international set up Gassama’s second goal and showed flashes of the quality he displayed in the Eredivisie last season with Go Ahead Eagles.
Martin will be eager for this level of European performance to carry over into domestic competition, with Dundee visiting Ibrox on Saturday, 9 August.
