UCL Qualifier: Russell Martin Praises Cyriel Dessers After Dominant Rangers Win Over Viktoria Plzen

Rangers manager Russell Martin has expressed high praise for Cyriel Dessers following the Nigerian striker’s impactful performance in their 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen during the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. In what marked Dessers’ first starting appearance of the season for the Light Blues, the forward made an instant impression—scoring a goal and delivering a crucial assist that contributed to the emphatic victory at Ibrox Stadium. Speaking after the match, Martin highlighted Dessers’ influence on the field, commending his tactical intelligence and attacking threat. “We scored some high-quality goals tonight,” Martin stated in a post-match interview published on Rangers’ official website. “Cyriel Dessers was outstanding—he drew defenders and created space for others to exploit. He also held the ball up excellently and brought his teammates into play.” The commanding result gives Rangers a significant advantage heading into the second leg of the UCL qualifying clash, which is scheduled for next Wednesday in Plzen, Czech Republic.