Viktoria Plzen 2 (Durosinmi 40, Markovic 83) Rangers 1 (Cameron 60)

Aggregate: 2-4

Attendance: 11,341

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Rangers are through to the Play-Off Round of the UEFA Champions’ League where they will meet old friends Club Brugge, despite going down 1-2 to FC Viktoria in Plzen on Tuesday evening. 

It was however not the most impressive of performances from the Ibrox men, but ultimately progress in Europe’s premier competition, courtesy of a 3-0 lead from the First Leg at Ibrox, was all that mattered. 

The temperature in Plzen was not quite the factor it had been in Rangers’ last European sojourn in Athens – but at 30C it was far from ideal for the Scots in the Doosan Arena. 

Russell Martin made two changes from the First Leg at Ibrox with James Tavernier and Nico Raskin coming in for the injured Max Aarons and Joe Rothwell. 

The visitors – effectively wearing all-white – soon found themselves under pressure from the Czech attacks.

Clear-cut opening were in short supply – but what was all too apparent even in these early stages was that the physical approach of Viktoria was exactly what it had been at Ibrox.

As the clock ticked towards the twenty-minute mark, Rangers finally made a serious incursion into enemy territory when – from a Nico Raskin opening Jefte broke forward to test home ‘keeper Martin Jedlicka with a low shot that was held.

The home side continued to carry the greater threat however – in the 27th minute, Lukas Cerv, switching from right-foot to left – thundered in a vicious twenty-yard drive that was fisted clear by Jack Butland. 

Five minutes later at the other end a spectacular overhead kick from Lyall Cameron from a Tavernier pass was just over. 

Viktoria stepped up the pressure with the interval fast approaching – in the 38th minute Prince Kwabena Adu shrugged off the challenge of Tavernier before firing wide of the target.

The deadlock was finally broken two minutes later when Amar Memic streaked past Jefte on the right, his cutback finding Rafiu Durosinmi who slotted home.

Coming just before the break, it was the worst time possible to concede the opener – and four minutes later it could have been even worse when Durosinmi again saw a header from Karel Spacil’s cross held by Butland. 

Many onlookers felt that Russell Martin would have to make changes at half-time after such an unimpressive first-half – but the ‘Gers Boss stayed with his initial selection. 

 The Czechs were soon pouring forward in search of a second goal – five minutes after the restart a low grounder from Memic flashed across the face of goal and inches wide.

Rangers suffered yet another injury blow on 54 minutes when Cyriel Dessers was forced to go off, substituted by Danilo. 

The Brazilian forward soon made an impact however – on the hour his miscued shot from a Mohammed Diomande cutback was turned home by Lyall Cameron for his first goal for the club. It was a crucial strike that effectively ended any hopes the Czechs may have had of retrieving the tie.

Midway through the half the Ibrox Boss made a double substitution with Rothwell and Kieran Dowell introduced for Diomande and goal-scorer Cameron.  

Viktoria continued to press however – in the 75th minute following a John Souttar error Adu’s shot on the turn was turned wide by Butland, then four minutes later substitute Milan Havel’s header from Cheick Souare’s cross was tipped over the bar.

Rangers had several chances themselves to take the lead, hitting on the break, but time and time again such opportunities were squandered.

The Czechs finally snatched a second goal in the 83rd minute when Havel had a free header from Cristophe Kabongo’s cross.  It was a dreadful goal to concede – but there was no way back in the tie for the Plzen side.

Viktoria Plzen: Jedlicka; Paluska, Dweh (Markovic 56), Jemelka; Memic (Havel 68), Valenta (Panos 83), Adu, Cerv, Spacil (Souare 68); Vydra, Durosinmi (Kabongo 68)

Unused Subs: Doski, Tvrdon, Wiegele, Visinsky, Ladra, Sloncik

Rangers: Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Djiga, Jefte; Antman (Cortes 86), Diomande (Rothwell 68), Raskin, Cameron (Dowell 68), Gassama (Bajrami 86); Dessers (Danilo 54)

Unused Subs: Kelly, Barron, Fernandez, Rice, Gentles, Curtis, Hutton

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)

BY ROBERT MCELORY