Rangers secure multi-million prize despite defeat vs Viktoria Plzen
Rangers suffered a 2-1 second-leg defeat against Viktoria Plzen in the UEFA Champions League qualifier on Tuesday night at the Dossan Arena.
Going into the game with a three-goal advantage, Russell Martin’s side had to avoid a heavy defeat to go through.
They did exactly that and won the tie 4-2 on aggregate, with Lyall Cameron finding the back of the net for them.
Rangers secure £4.3m prize for qualifying for Champions League play-offs
Despite losing the second leg, as they won the tie, the Ibrox outfit will be getting a decent £4.3million kitty.
UEFA provides a cash prize for clubs making it to the next rounds of the competition and they even offer money during the league stage matches.
As Gers are now in the play-off round, they have to win just one more time before they qualify for the Champions League.
Club Brugge beat RB Salzburg 4-2 on aggregate and they are all that stand in the way of Rangers making it to Europe’s elite club competition.
Russell Martin must demand better performances from his players
Despite Rangers progressing to the Champions League play-off round with an aggregate victory over Viktoria Plzen, Martin must demand significant improvement from his squad.
The defeat in the second leg exposed a lethargic performance, particularly off the ball, where the visitors lacked intensity and aggression.
| Stat | Viktoria Plzen | Rangers |
| Ball Possession | 41% | 59% |
| Big Chances | 8 | 1 |
| Total Shots | 27 | 9 |
| Goalkeeper Saves | 1 | 8 |
| Corner Kicks | 6 | 3 |
| Fouls | 15 | 11 |
| Passes | 336 | 525 |
| Tackles | 13 | 14 |
| Free Kicks | 11 | 15 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 2 |
Even though they held 59 per cent possession, they failed to capitalise, managing only nine shots and one big chance compared to Plzen’s 27 shots and eight big chances.
This poor utilisation of possession and defensive vulnerability highlighted a lack of cohesion and urgency.
Martin, critical after a prior draw against Motherwell and Dundee, must address these shortcomings to ensure Gers are better prepared for the crucial play-off tie against Club Brugge.
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