'electric Wingers' Antman & Gassama Spark Rangers Into Life

Brian Laudrup's sanction was not 1 galore would person expected to beryllium evoked erstwhile discussing Rangers' wide men successful nan 3-0 thumping of Viktoria Plzen.

Former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson did admit it was ridiculously premature to propose Djeidi Gassama aliases Oliver Antman could ever make nan benignant of effect nan iconic Dane did astatine Ibrox.

But nan comparison served to underline nan belief nan move wingers had made connected him and nan Rangers fans arsenic they ripped nan Czech broadside to shreds successful this Champions League 3rd qualifying information first leg.

Gassama has exploded onto nan segment since signing from Sheffield Wednesday.

His 2 fabulous goals, 1 successful each leg, helped resistance Rangers done a treacherous duty against Panathinaikos and complete nan first hurdle connected nan roadworthy to nan Champions League.

With Antman connected nan different flank offering akin pace, footwork and oculus for extremity conscionable 1 time aft joining nan club, Rangers looked a squad that had recovered a caller gear.

"I can't retrieve nan past clip Rangers had 2 electrical wingers connected nan transportation astatine nan aforesaid time," said erstwhile Ibrox midfielder Andy Halliday connected Sportscene. "For specified a agelong play of time, it's been specified a problem for Rangers."

Antman near his prints each complete nan crippled connected his Rangers debut.

The Finnish winger - signed from Go Ahead Eagles, wherever he scored six goals and provided 15 assists successful 32 games past word - was unlucky not to people erstwhile he saw a goal-bound effort blocked connected nan line.

He was brought down successful nan container aft a surging tally that resulted successful nan punishment that was tucked distant by Cyriel Dessers.

His transverse was measured to perfection for Gassama to sound inthe 3rd extremity to springiness Rangers daylight successful nan tie.

"I deliberation you tin spot why we wanted to motion him," said Rangers caput coach Russell Martin of nan 23-year-old, who has agreed a four-year deal.

"He's game, he's willing, he's really competitory and he has moments of existent quality."

Gassama's capacity besides drew praise from nan caput coach.

The Mauritania-born 21-year-old has now scored 4 goals successful arsenic galore games since joining from Sheffield Wednesday successful July - 50% of what he delivered successful 47 matches past term.

Three of those goals person travel successful nan Champions League, making them moreover much valuable to nan Ibrox nine fixed nan imaginable riches connected offer.

"We said astir nan request for immoderate winger-to-winger goals and Gassama is really stepping up successful position of intensity, he really wants to score," Martin added.

"We showed him a batch of clips erstwhile we signed him wherever he ends up excessively acold distant from goal. He's taken connected nan accusation really, really well."

Former Rangers winger Peter Lovenkrands:

"Antman has shown awesome promise. He's looking very, very breathtaking and he has a bundle of pace. And I emotion really Gassama attacks nan backmost post.

"I emotion watching 2 wingers moving successful down and they tin make a awesome partnership. It will decidedly get fans retired of their seats."

Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday:

"I was truthful impressed pinch Antman. He had everything. His activity complaint was fantabulous and he did a awesome job.

"You tin already spot why he sewage truthful galore assists past season. He doesn't conscionable thrust it into nan box, he tries to prime players out.

"Gassama is direct, speedy and awesome 1v1. He was a changeless threat and caused defenders a batch of problems."

Former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson:

"The wingers gave Rangers an injection of gait successful nan last 3rd was intelligibly missing against Motherwell.

"Antman was sensational. He's very nonstop and lightning speedy and I can't retrieve him giving nan shot away. His determination making was spot on."

Former Rangers guardant Steven Thompson:

"The penetration Antman has brought to this broadside has been perfectly brilliant. What an impact. They conscionable look truthful overmuch much dangerous."