Rangers host Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League Third Qualifying Round on Tuesday. While new boss Russell Martin is unbeaten in his first three competitive matches as Rangers boss, a late equaliser for the home side at Motherwell on Saturday drew the scorn of the demanding Rangers fanbase. Following two matches against Panathinaikos, in which Rangers relied on both Butland's heroics and some profligate finishing from the Greeks, some of the Gers fans believe the jury is still out on whether Martin was a shrewd appointment.

Russell Martin and the new executive team under the 49ers have spared no time or expense in reshaping the squad and reconfiguring how the team set up. Over €20m has been spent on upgrading the first XI, predominantly with players from English football. In classic Martin fashion, there is an emphasis on ball retention and playing out from the back. In each of the three matches so far, a mix up at the back while attempting this style of play has produced a big chance for the opponents.

Despite the inconsistent nature of Rangers in recent years, they have often successfully bounced back from adversity, and have conquered an impressive list of European opposition across the Champions League and Europa League over this spell. We believe that the mixed performance against Motherwell on league duty has been overvalued with the big drift in Rangers' price against the side who came 2nd in the Czech First League last year.

After a second leg comeback against Servette in the last round, Plzen were granted a fixture postponement to allow them to prepare for their latest European adventure as they look to secure entry into the lucrative Champions League group stage.

If we look at Plzen’s last away day in Europe at a high level - they travelled to Lazio in March, trailing on aggregate in a Europa League knockout tie - their performance highlighted both defensive vulnerabilities and the absence of key contributors.

Most significantly, attacking midfielder Pavel Sulc, who amassed 35 goal contributions in 54 appearances last season, has completed a €7.5 m move to Lyon. That is a major void: Sulc was central to Plzen’s transition play and attacking output, and they simply don’t have a like-for-like replacement.

Further weakening their structure:

• Wide man Cadu departed on a free to Ferencváros.
• Defensive midfielder Kalvach has also left, and the player signed to replace him, Slovenian international Zeljković, is suspended for this tie.
• Goalkeeper Jedlička is sidelined with a head injury, leaving them with limited options in goal.

Plzen’s summer signings - Spáčil at left-back and Ladra in central midfield - have shown positive signs in early domestic matches. But the loss of Sulc, coupled with the suspension of Zeljković and absence of Jedlička, means the spine of the team has been significantly weakened. They simply do not have a ready-made replacement for Sulc.

That leaves them heavily reliant on figures like Durosinmi (athletic forward), Vydra (experienced centre-forward), Cerv (dominant central midfielder), Dweh (athletic centre-back) and Marković (strong presence at the back). There’s talent in the squad, but the cohesion and balance built around Sulc - combined with squad depth issues - raises questions over whether they are truly ready for the intensity of Ibrox on Tuesday.