Rangers supervisor Russell Martin defended his choice to start out two key gamers on the bench because the Scottish giants took a major step in the direction of the Champions League play-offs with a 3-0 win over Czech aspect Viktoria Plzen.
Djeidi Gassama bagged a brace and Cyriel Dessers dispatched a penalty as Rangers cruised to a snug third qualifying spherical first-leg victory at Ibrox.
However the large information earlier than kick-off was the choice taken by Martin, who blasted his gamers following the 1-1 draw at Motherwell on Saturday, to take away captain James Tavernier and Nico Raskin from the beginning eleven.
The choice appeared to repay, nevertheless, with Martin’s aspect producing a dominant show forward of the second leg in Pilsen subsequent week.
And the brand new Rangers boss backed his choice, insisting he’ll want everybody within the squad to play their half.
“I don’t just like the phrase dropped,” Martin advised BBC Sport after the match.
“I mentioned to the blokes earlier than that you simply don’t get dropped from the staff. We’re going to want everybody [in the squad]. Individuals are going to return out, we’d like freshness.
“You as head coach should do what’s greatest for the staff on the evening. The fellows that got here on did brilliantly and that’s all you possibly can ask for.
“There’s a bent up right here that one factor turns into an enormous factor, nevertheless it’s by no means. Tonight was the perfect staff.
“I don’t suppose it’s going to be the identical eleven week in, week out.”
If the pre-match headlines largely involved the membership’s long-serving gamers, the post-game focus will doubtless be on the contemporary faces at Ibrox.
Gassama, who signed from Sheffield Wednesday in the summertime, has now scored in three consecutive European video games, whereas there was additionally a standout efficiency from 23-year-old debutant Oliver Antman.
The Finnish teenager offered the help for Gassama’s second and regarded a relentless risk down Rangers’ right-hand aspect.
Martin was happy by the contribution of his two new signings but in addition praised the entire staff for his or her displaying.
“I’m actually pleased with a variety of it [the game],” Martin mentioned.
“I used to be a bit aggravated with the final quarter-hour as I believed we obtained a little bit too sloppy and had the ball an excessive amount of in our personal half. However it’s my job to be demanding of the blokes.
“It’s actually tough attempting to be taught a variety of element and apply it with the best depth and braveness, particularly after a tricky afternoon on Saturday [against Motherwell]. So I’m actually pleased with the staff.”
