WE HAVE TO BACK THIS UP

Play, win, repeat, demands Souttar

- By Andy Newport

RUSSELL MARTIN got the response he was looking for after his Fir Park rant.

But John Souttar says Rangers will have to be sharp as a whip again if they are to avoid another backlash from the boss.

Ibrox gaffer Martin didn’t pull his punches after watching his team trip out of the blocks in Lanarkshire on Saturday.

He accused certain players of putting their egos before the good of the team after dropping two points in a dismal draw with the Steelmen.

But that jab got the desired effect on Tuesday night as Gers hit back with their best display so far under the former Southampton boss to sweep Viktoria Plzen aside 3-0 in their latest Champions League qualifier.

Rangers showed everything they missed against Well as they put on a performance packed with energy, aggression and, crucially, quality in the final third to stun the Czech outfit.

The addition of new signing Oliver Antman and last season’s top scorer Cyriel Dessers complemented a top line already boasting Djeidi Gassama — a figure fast approaching fanfavourite status after a blistering start to life at Ibrox.

With four goals in as many games, the £2.2million recruit from Sheffield Wednesday looks a steal.

Added together with the drive provided by midfield dark horse Lyall Cameron, Tuesday's buoyant performance has restored much of the enthusiasm dampened by the Premiership curtain-raiser last weekend.