RESPONSE SO GOOD FOR US

RUSSELL MARTIN praised the response of his players as Rangers roared back from his roasting to put one foot in the Champions League playoff.

- BY ANDY NEWPORT

Djeidi Gassama scored either side of a Cyriel Dessers penalty against Viktoria Plzen to all but set up a clash with either Club Brugge or Salzburg for a place in the lucrative league phase of UEFA's premier competition.

Martin blasted some of his players following a 1-1 draw at Motherwell on Saturday and he dumped four players from the starting line up - including skipper James Tavernier and last season's star midfielder Nico Raskin.

Danilo also dropped out along with Kieran Dowell but the move paid off with Dessers netting and debut boy Oliver Antman turning in a star display.

Martin was delighted but promised his axed players they still have a big part to play with Tavernier and Raskin coming on along with Danilo.

He said: "From Saturday to today, they took everything on. Amazing energy at the start of the game and real moments of quality.