Rangers have one foot in the play-off round of the Champions League after a comprehensive 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox.
Russell Martin’s men head to Czechia next week with a commanding advantage in this third qualifying round tie and are landslide favourites to face either Club Brugge or Salzburg later this month.
Stung by criticism from Martin after starting the Premiership campaign with a 1-1 draw at Motherwell on Saturday, Rangers put in a vastly improved performance in front of 45,000 fans. The manager dropped captain James Tavernier and popular midfielder Nicolas Raskin, but both decisions were vindicated.
New signing Oliver Antman was handed a debut and impressed as a right winger, but the star of the show once again was Djeidi Gassama on the other flank. He scored twice and is already the darling of the home support.
The young Frenchman opened the scoring on 15 minutes after good link-up from Cyriel Dessers and the Nigerian striker, on his first start of the season, converted a penalty right on half-time after a foul on Antman.
Rangers bagged a third on 51 minutes when Gassama headed home an Antman cross and while the hosts could have scored more, they head into next Tuesday’s second leg with a commanding advantage against limited opposition.
We give each player a mark out of ten for their performance at Ibrox.
5. John Souttar
The big centre-half was handed the captain's armband and was an assured defender against a frontline that quickly faded. Always looking to pass the ball out from the but some of his attempts were a little wayward, much to the consternation of one Rangers fan behind the press box whose expletive-led comments are not able to be printed. Martin will like his defender's bravery on the ball, even if some supporters don't. 7 | SNS Group
6. Joe Rothwell
Growing into his No 6 role at Rangers. This was his best performance for the club - albeit against inferior midfield opposition. Constantly looked for the ball and showed good range of passing. Came off after 65 minutes for Raskin. 7 | Getty Images
7. Lyall Cameron
No surprise to see the summer signing from Dundee earn his first start after praise from Martin. He was favoured to Raskin and put in an energetic and disciplined performance. Given a loud ovation from the Rangers fans when he was replaced on 75 minutes. 8 | SNS Group
8. Mohamed Diomande
Struck the bar with a flighted effort not long after restart and put in a power of work. Had one dozy moment when caught in possession but other than that looked pretty assured. 7 | SNS Group