Rangers reach Champions League play-offs

Rangers secure a 2-1 victory in Prague to seal a 4-2 aggregate win and advance to the Champions League play-offs.

Rangers reach Champions League play-offs after Plzen win

Rangers traveled to Plzen with a comfortable lead and weathered early pressure from the home side. Durosinmi struck for Plzen in the first half to boost their hopes, but Lyall Cameron equalised after a precise build up from the defence and a move started by John Souttar. Cyriel Dessers went off hurt early in the second half, with Danilo coming on to grab a crucial goal that gave Rangers the edge on the night. Jack Butland made two big saves in the closing stages as Plzen pressed, and Svetozar Markovic headed in late to tighten the scoreline but could not overturn the deficit on aggregate.

Rangers showed they can manage a tie on two fronts, combining a solid gameplan with moments of individual quality. Manager Russell Martin balanced cautious defending with quick transitions, and the decision to bring Nico Raskin back into midfield paid dividends for ball retention and pace. The night underscored how Europe keeps testing a squad that is still growing, but it also highlighted risks in building from the back under pressure. The business side looms large too, with a potential windfall of around 40 million pounds changing the club’s opportunities in the market while adding pressure to sustain this level of performance.

Highlights

The work continues as Europe remains within reach.