Lyall Cameron celebrates with his Rangers team-matesSNS

Lyall Cameron's equaliser went a long way to securing Rangers' progression

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland in Plzen

Rangers progressed to a Champions League play-off with Club Brugge, but only after riding their luck against a dominant Viktoria Plzen side in the Czech Republic.

Lyall Cameron's second-half equaliser ultimately proved decisive for Russell Martin's team, who went behind on the night and conceded again later on during a chastening evening in which Plzen spurned numerous chances.

Having come through a tough test against Panathinaikos in the previous round, Rangers' three-goal first-leg cushion always seemed likely to be enough to secure a safe passage here.

But, against a side that appeared a level below the Greeks, this proved far more difficult than it might have for the Scottish side.

Head coach Martin told BBC Scotland progressing to the next round "is the only good thing to really focus on".

"There were some good moments, but I'm disappointed with the number of shots and chances they have and most of it's self-inflicted," he said. "We have a lot to work on, but we're through."

Quality was in short supply from both teams in the opening 30 minutes, but the need to take the initiative was all on the hosts, and they finally responded.

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Lukas Cerv drew a smart save from Jack Butland and Prince Adu out-muscled James Tavernier before firing wide, but Rangers failed to heed those warnings.

Slack play by Jefte let Plzen in and Amar Memic fired across the box for Rafiu Durosinmi to slam home shortly before the break.

Plzen probed throughout the second half, but Rangers always knew one goal would likely end it and it came at a great time.

John Souttar found Mohamed Diomande, who pulled back for Danilo. His scuffed shot fell perfectly for Cameron to ease the pressure with a timely equaliser.

It continued to crank up as the second half elapsed, though, with any number of late scares.

Butland saved superbly from Adu, then again from Milan Havel's close-range header. He could do nothing when Svetozar Markovic was all alone to nod home, but it proved only a late consolation.

Job done for Rangers and Martin but less comfortably than many anticipated and much better will be needed against the Belgians next week.

What was the main talking point?

Progression was the be all and end all.

Rangers will undoubtedly face a tougher test in the play-off round, though, and will need something more reminiscent of their first-leg form if they are to reach the group stages.

In truth, Plzen didn't ooze quality, but had a number of gilt-edged chances and it was far from an impressive display overall from Rangers.

Concern will come from two areas.

It was night and day from the first leg in terms of ability to threaten.

And defensively, they were caught out too cheaply and too often again. They were incredibly exposed at times and that will likely be punished if they go further.

That all said, Rangers have earned their crack at reaching the Champions League group stage. If they get there, it will be a huge step early in Martin's tenure.

Rangers statsSNS

Which players stood out?

Cameron will never forget this night given his crucial goal, but special mention must go to Butland, who produced some excellent saves.

Defensively, there remains significant concern. After initially looking comfortable, there was too often slackness in positioning and concession of possession.

Jefte simply needed to do better for Plzen's opener. On occasion, the opposition found themselves in some superb positions but lacked quality to make it count.

Up top, a suspected knee injury to Cyriel Dessers will be a worry and on either flank Djeidi Gassama and Oliver Antman were largely ineffective.

Martin repeatedly suggests this squad will improve. They'll need to collectively and quickly to meet challenges ahead.

The standout stats

  • Viktoria Plzen had 27 shots against Rangers, with 21 of them coming from inside the penalty area

  • That led to an expected goals rating of 3.31 for the Czech side, compared to Rangers' 1.15

  • Plzen attacker Prince Adu had six shots, all inside the penalty area, from 16 touches in the Rangers box

  • Rangers midfielder Lyall Cameron had two shots, including his goal, the joint most by a Rangers player. He also won the ball back six times, more than any of his team-mates.

What they said

Rangers defending 'outrageous' - Martin

Rangers head coach Russell Martin: "Our level of quality on the ball and decision making wasn't good enough. If we are not as clean with the ball as we should be, we have to be more aggressive.

"Both goals are outrageous and we have to defend better, but we defend more than we should have because we are sloppy with the ball."

Former Rangers striker Steven Thompson: "The performance was not good. In possession, they were really poor, sloppy and, if they were playing a better quality of team, even with a 3-0 lead, this could have gone to extra time.

"Credit Butland - one incredible save and a couple of other decent ones. But they can't afford to give those kind of gifts to Brugge."

Former Rangers midfielder Ian McCall: "It is very important to have principles. But you've got to be flexible.

"You don't have to rip it up and do something completely different - tweak it a little bit to get through a game - but Russell Martin appears not to want to do that."

'Rangers were not good. Against a better team, this could have gone to extra time'

12/08/25

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What is next for these teams?

Plzen take their place in the Europa League group stages, a safety net which was guaranteed before this outcome.

Rangers return to domestic action with a home tie in the Premier Sports Cup against Alloa Athletic on Saturday (17:45 BST).

They will then host Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off on Tuesday before the second leg in Belgium eight days later.

Where next?

Player of the match

V. Jemelka
8.50
21 V. Jemelka
8.50
40 S. Dweh
8.50
22 J. Paluska
8.50
6 L. Červ
8.50
99 A. Memić
8.50
80 P. Adu
8.50
11 M. Vydra
8.50
5 K. Spáčil
8.00
32 M. Valenta
8.00
17 R. Durosinmi
8.00
23 M. Jedlička
7.33
24 M. Havel
6.00
7 C. Kabongo
6.00
3 S. Marković
6.00
20 J. Panoš
6.00
19 C. Souaré
6.00
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