Cyriel Dessers was instrumental for Rangers as they claimed a commanding 3–0 win over Czech side Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie on Tuesday night at Ibrox.
The Nigerian forward opened the scoring contributions with an assist in the 15th minute, laying the ball off for Djeidi Gassama, who coolly finished to make it 1–0.
On the stroke of half-time, Dessers got on the scoresheet himself, converting a penalty after Oliver Antman was brought down in the box by Matej Vydra. The striker sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to double Rangers’ lead.
Gassama added a third just six minutes into the second half, heading home his second of the night — and fourth of the qualifying campaign — to give the Scottish club a comfortable advantage ahead of the return leg.
Dessers was substituted in the 73rd minute after a lively display, while fellow Nigerian Rafiu Durosinmi came off the bench for Plzen in the 65th minute.
Rangers now hold a strong position going into next week’s second leg in the Czech Republic. The winner of the tie will face either Red Bull Salzburg or Club Brugge in the play-off round for a place in the group stage.