Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers was on target as Rangers secured a dominant 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzeň in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third-round qualifier at Ibrox on Tuesday.
Djeidi Gassama opened the scoring in the 15th minute after linking up with Dessers, who laid off the final pass before Gassama finished coolly.
Dessers then doubled Rangers’ lead just before halftime, confidently converting a penalty after Oliver Antman was fouled by Matej Vydra inside the box.
Gassama returned after the break to head home his second of the night in the 51st minute; his fourth goal in this season’s European qualifiers, giving Rangers a comfortable advantage heading into the second leg in the Czech Republic.
Rangers are now firm favourites to progress to the Champions League playoff round, where they’ll face Red Bull Salzburg or Club Brugge, according to UEFA.
In other fixtures, Malmö and Copenhagen played out a goalless draw in their Nordic derby.
Looking ahead to Wednesday’s third-round action. Salzburg will host Brugge, Benfica will travel to face Ligue 1’s Nice, and Feyenoord clash with Fenerbahçe, managed by José Mourinho.
