Daijiworld Media Network- Glasglow

Glasgow, Aug 6: Scottish giants Rangers FC moved a step closer to securing a coveted spot in the UEFA Champions’ League group stage with an emphatic 3-0 win over Czech side Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of their third-round qualifying clash at Ibrox on Tuesday.

A stellar performance by Djeidi Gassama, who netted a brace, and a confidently taken penalty by Cyriel Dessers, ensured that Rangers head into next week’s second leg in the Czech Republic with a strong advantage.

The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute, when Dessers neatly set up Gassama, who made no mistake with a calm finish. Rangers continued to dominate possession and were rewarded just before the half-time whistle when Oliver Antman, the club’s latest signing, was brought down in the box by Matej Vydra. Dessers stepped up and coolly slotted home from the spot, doubling the lead.

Six minutes after the break, Gassama struck again — this time with a well-timed header — marking his fourth goal in this season’s Champions League qualifying campaign and giving Rangers a comfortable three-goal cushion.

The victory puts Rangers in the driver’s seat ahead of the return leg, with the winners of this tie set to face either Red Bull Salzburg (Austria) or Club Brugge (Belgium) in the play-off round for a place in the league phase.

In other qualifying action, Swedish club Malmo played out a goalless draw at home against Danish rivals Copenhagen, setting up a tense return leg.

Wednesday’s fixtures will see Salzburg host Club Brugge, Portugal’s Benfica travel to French side Nice, and Feyenoord take on Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in another mouthwatering clash.

With the stakes high and the group stages in sight, European clubs continue to battle it out for a seat at the continent’s biggest football table.