Rangers head coach Russell Martin insists the stress on his facet has not dropped, regardless of the three-goal benefit they take into the second leg of their Champions League third qualifying spherical tie towards Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday.
Djeidi Gassama’s double, both facet of Cyriel Dessers’ penalty, earned Martin’s facet a deserved 3-0 win over Plzen at Ibrox final week.
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Nonetheless, momentum was then halted by a disappointing outcome and efficiency on league obligation towards Dundee on Saturday, as James Tavernier’s late penalty was solely sufficient for a 1-1 draw towards Steven Pressley’s struggling facet.
When requested if the wholesome mixture lead meant an easing of stress on his gamers earlier than the return leg, Martin gave an unequivocal response.
“No, in a phrase,” Martin stated. “We play for a soccer membership that you may’t ease off ever. We’ll have a sold-out away finish and it is a massive evening for us.
“After being a bit dissatisfied on Saturday with a number of issues within the efficiency, hopefully we’ll see some stuff that we did not do properly sufficient come out tomorrow evening and do it higher.
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“It is my job as a coach on the coaching pitch to not come off the gamers one bit at any level.
“Even once they get into move and it begins trying actually sensible, which I am satisfied it will likely be sooner or later, it is my job to verify we keep on them on a regular basis to continue to grow. And tomorrow evening is simply part of that. So there is no easing, there is no speaking about that in any respect.”
Like Rangers, Viktoria had been held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at dwelling on Saturday, the purpose towards Eleventh-placed Slovacko leaving them eighth within the Czech high flight.
“In the mean time, Viktoria Plzen does not have something to lose,” Martin stated.
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“So we now have to counter that mentality. We need to begin this sport properly. However on the similar time, we must be prepared for every little thing. And we must be prepared for tomorrow.
“I consider that if we concentrate on our progress, on our progress, the outcomes will present. And tomorrow we’ll have an opportunity to point out that we have improved once more.”
Plzen want ‘heroic efficiency’
Viktoria Plzen head coach Miroslav Koubek says his facet should be at their best if they’re to overtake the three-goal deficit and preserve their Champions League hopes alive.
“Now we have to be completely distinctive, we now have to placed on a heroic efficiency and each piece has to fall in for that to occur,” he stated.
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The loser of the tie is assured a spot within the league part of the Europa League and Koubek believes that can permit his gamers to play with freedom in entrance of their very own followers.
“Our match in Glasgow was removed from good,” he stated. “It was sub-par from our half, as a result of the opponent was higher, quicker, extra organised.
“We had some type of plan, however it fell via ultimately. This time we now have to do higher, after all.
“Right now I informed them we’re already positive to play within the Europa League. I informed them tomorrow to work arduous and to not stress an excessive amount of. Do not get misplaced in their very own heads.”
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Crew information
Rangers can be with out Mikey Moore, Thelo Aasgaard and Hamza Igamane once more for the second leg, though Martin believes all three might play a component towards Alloa Athletic within the Scottish League Cup on Saturday.
“Mikey can be registered in time for Saturday, so he’ll be there,” Martin stated. “And I feel all three of them can be within the squad on Saturday, really.
“All being properly this week, however not tomorrow evening.”
Match stats
Rangers have gained 5 and misplaced six of their 13 conferences with sides from the Czech Republic.
Rangers have by no means gained within the Czech Republic, dropping three of their 5 video games there.
Rangers drew 0-0 with Sparta Prague on their final go to to the Czech Republic earlier than profitable the return tie 2-1 in Glasgow within the Europa League group stage in 2023-24.
Viktoria beat Coronary heart of Midlothian 1-0 on their solely earlier go to to Scotland, for a 2-0 mixture victory in Europa League play-off spherical final season on their option to reaching the final 16.
Rangers misplaced at this stage of Champions League qualifying final season earlier than reaching the Europa League quarter-finals.
Viktoria and Rangers each final reached the Champions League play-off spherical in 2022, when in addition they went on to play within the group stage.