While it’s way too early to predict how Russell Martin’s tenure at Rangers will unfold, we already know something for sure. He isn’t a man who’s going to say one thing and do another.
His coruscating critique of his side’s pitiful efforts at Fir Park at the weekend felt like the day a line was drawn in the sand. Too many old faces going through the motions. Already a danger that he’d be the latest manager to carry the can for them.
Evidently doubtful that those culpable could lose the bad habits he identified overnight, he opted to take a decisive step and left their egos on the sidelines.
Suffice to say that it may be some time before James Tavernier, Nico Raskin, Danilo or Kieran Dowell are given a chance to make amends from the start of a match.
The consequence of these sweeping changes was a display brimming with energy, industry and application. It was light years removed from the opening league game. Rangers scored three and might well have had more.
As impressive as Martin’s side were with the ball, it was their efforts out of possession which really caught the eye.
Djeidi Gassama celebrates with Oliver Antman after the Finn set him up for his second goal
Gassama nods home from close range to put Rangers three up after Antman’s fine delivery
New Ibrox hero Gassama had earlier put Rangers ahead with a well-taken first-half effort
Absolutely nothing came easy for the men from Plzen. Unlike on Saturday, runners were tracked and blocks were made. The fundamentals of the game were there in abundance.
After taking a few moments to settle, Rangers struck through Djeidi Gassama. He was also the right man in the right place to head his side into a three-goal advantage early in the second half. Now with four goals in three European games, what a signing the young man from Sheffield Wednesday is proving to be.
Restored to the side, Cyriel Dessers was also excellent. Having created Gassama’s opening goal, he slotted home a penalty to give Martin’s men a two-goal lead at the interval. His all-round play was on a different level to that of Danilo.
Another star of the show was the less heralded of Martin’s nine summer signings. Lyall Cameron has had to wait patiently for his first start since joining from Dundee. He won’t have to wait too long for his next.
The smallest man on the field proved to be one of the most effective. He read the game whenever Plzen threatened to counter, demanded the ball and held it when his side needed him to. He pressed and probed all evening. And he made it all look so simple.
Max Aarons will also take much from this performance. Having laboured so far at left-back — understandably — he looked far more at home on the other side. He started the move which led to the third goal.
Martin’s radical selection afforded opportunities to Jefte, Cameron and Dessers, with Oliver Antman handed his debut from the start following his £3million move from Go Ahead Eagles.
Dessers salutes the crowd after putting Rangers two up on the stroke of half-time from the spot
The Finn immediately endeared himself to the light blue legions, winning a penalty and setting up Gassama’s second. It was a hugely impressive first night’s work from the winger.
Martin had predicted that Plzen would be a powerful unit and he wasn’t wrong. But they lacked subtlety and guile. There was little here to suggest they can stage a miraculous comeback in the second leg.
Rangers actually started a little anxiously. Jefte’s misplaced pass to Matej Vydra would have had dire consequences had a deflection not taken the sting out of the forward’s shot.
A long kick up the field by visiting keeper Florian Wiegele evaded Cameron and let Amar Memic in down the right. His cross was met by the head of Rafiu Durosinmi. Jack Butland was pleased to see the ball bounce wide.
The home side’s first promising move came from a link-up between their two wide men. Antman got in behind the defence and stood the ball up to the far post. Gassama looked set to score until Svetozar Markovic steered the ball away for a corner. It was enough to lift the atmosphere inside Ibrox.
The place was rocking on the 15-minute mark as Gassama struck. It was a simple yet brilliant move.
He rolled the ball into Dessers’ feet and gambled by darting into the box. Dessers’ return ball round the corner was delightful. Gassama ran onto it, took a steadying touch and picked his spot in the far corner.
Dessers kept his cool to double the home side’s lead after Antman had been brought down
James Tavernier was benched in favour of Max Aarons as manager Martin rang the changes
There was plenty to encourage Martin although still too many cheap turnovers for his liking.
With Jefte caught up field, Memic again advanced at will down the flank. Vydra hammered the winger’s cross towards goal. Nasser Djiga’s sliding block saved the day.
With Cameron always prepared to take the ball in tight situations, though, Rangers always looked like creating opportunities.
A terrific pass in behind by the Scot allowed Gassama to pull the ball back. Antman thought he’d scored on his first appearance. Vaclav Jemelka’s positioning on the line ensured Rangers’ lead remained at one.
Raskin managed to achieve the rare feat of being booked while not being on the field. The Belgian knew what he was doing when he prevented Plzen from taking a quick free-kick. Jefte’s caution for taking out Lukas Cerv was rather more conventional.
The Czechs sought to feed their wide men and look to hit the towering frame of Durosinmi.
Lyall Cameron was brought in to start in midfield and was a lively and composed performer
John Souttar, handed the captain’s armband, did a commendable job of ensuring the crosses rarely found their intended target.
A polished first half display was rewarded with a second goal just before the board went up.
Antman won the ball back deep in his own half and charged forward. Gassama showed he can provide as well as finish with a pin-point pass that took out three white jerseys.
The Finn gathered and made for the penalty box. A drop of the shoulder invited a panicked challenge by Vydra. French referee Clement Turpin pointed to the spot.
Dessers had to wait for his moment but held his nerve, calmly sending the keeper the wrong way. This was much more like it.
Mohamed Diomande was the one player in blue who toiled in the opening period. To be fair, he plugged away and clipped the bar at the start of the second period.
Six minutes after the restart, Martin’s side had one foot on the pay-off round. Aaron’s sweeping pass released Antman down the right. His deep cross was the perfect pace for Gassama. A thumping header brought up the third.
While Raskin, Danilo and Tavernier were belatedly introduced, a handsome victory was secured by others.
Who says there’s no room for a little bit of tough love in the modern world?
