Russell Martin's bold team selection paid off as Rangers battered Viktoria Plzen 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifier at Ibrox.
The Gers boss hit out at some of his squad following their deflating 1-1 draw at Motherwell on Saturday, questioning mentality, egos and application, and captain James Tavernier and midfielder Nicolas Raskin were the biggest names among the expected changes.
Martin got the required reaction as winger Djeidi Gassama scored after 15 minutes with his third European goal in three ties before returning striker Cyriel Dessers added a second from the spot just before the interval.
Gassama, signed this summer from Sheffield Wednesday, scored a third in the 51st minute to put the Govan side into a commanding lead and eventually a comfortable win.
The Light Blues will be heavy favourites for the return game in the Czech Republic next Tuesday, with a play-off tie against Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg or Club Brugge of Belgium awaiting the winners.
Elsewhere, in the Champions League qualifiers, Qarabag, who beat Shelbourne in the last round, enjoyed a 1-0 away win against KF Shkendija, while Dynamo Kyiv lost 1-0 at in Lublin against Cyprus side Pafos. Malmo and Copenhagen played out a scoreless draw in their first leg.
