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Who will win Rangers vs Viktoria Plzen? Our writers deliver predictions for Champions League showdown at Ibrox

Rangers now know one of two opponents they could face in the Champions League play-off round.

The big question now is whether Russell Martin will steer his Light Blues side to a tie with either Club Brugge or Salzburg.

First, they must overcome Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen with a huge first leg tie to come at Ibrox Stadium on Tuesday.

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Rangers came through two tough games against Panathinaikos in the last round, although there was criticism over the performance levels.

And Martin then blasted his players following the 1-1 draw to open the Premiership campaign on Saturday.

Will he get a reaction? Record Sport’s top team have delivered their predictions for the Ibrox showdown.

Scott McDermott

Russell Martin needs a big reaction from his players after their poor display at Fir Park and with the Ibrox crowd behind them they can muster a first-leg win.

Kieran Dowell of Rangers
Kieran Dowell of Rangers

But Rangers are giving up far too many chances in games this early in his tenure – more than 50 so far – so the Czechs can score to set up a tense return in Plzen next week.

Rangers 2 Viktoria Plzen 1

Keith Jackson

Russell Martin needs a favourable result against the Czechs and he’ll get it. Rangers will have to come out the traps quickly and an early goal will help settle some of the post Motherwell nerves.

Rangers 2 Plzen 0

Gavin Berry

It’s now all about the reaction from the players after Russell Martin’s rant. Will they respond or down tools? If it has the desired effect, they can get a huge win against a side without key midfielder Adrian Zeljkovic through suspension and the absence of star man Pavel Sulc as he finalises his move to Lyon.

Rangers 3 Viktoria Plzen 1

Craig Swan

Rangers have not found fluency and Plzen displayed their prowess on the road last midweek with their win in Switzerland that set-up this tie. That triumph over Servette spells danger for Russell Martin.

Rangers 1 Plzen 1

Ryan McDonald

Russell Martin took a massive gamble by publicly slaughtering his players after their Fir Park calamity. How will they react? Rangers tend to save their best performances in Europe and they’ll keep the tie alive heading to Plzen.

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