Rangers Prepare To Attack Champions League Following Panathinaikos Draw In Qualifying Round

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Russell Martin praised his Rangers squad as remarkable following their draw against Panathinaikos, which secured their place in the Champions League qualifiers. Despite trailing initially, they managed a 1-1 draw in Athens, leading to a 3-1 aggregate victory. Filip Djuricic scored for Panathinaikos after a VAR review, but Djeidi Gassama quickly equalised for Rangers.

Martin emphasised the team's ambition to make a strong push for the Champions League. He expressed pride in his players' progress over five weeks, highlighting their determination and resilience. "I've just said to the players that I'm so proud of them," Martin told BBC Scotland. "To be five weeks into the process, from where they were to where they are, is incredible."

The match statistics showed Rangers had an expected goals (xG) total of 0.72 from 10 shots compared to Panathinaikos' 1.65 from 20 attempts. However, Jack Butland's outstanding performance was crucial, with the goalkeeper making five key saves throughout the game.

Rangers will face Viktoria Plzen next in the qualifiers after Plzen's impressive comeback against Servette. The first leg will take place at Ibrox next Tuesday, followed by the return match on August 12. This progression ensures Rangers' participation in at least the Europa League group stage next season.

Martin acknowledged the importance of having European football secured as it allows them to focus on returning to the Champions League for the first time since 2022-23. "It's no mean feat," he stated. "We've qualified for the Europa League, and now we can really attack the Champions League."

Djeidi Gassama's goal marked his second in as many appearances for Rangers, coming just minutes after he replaced Findlay Curtis on the field. His contribution was pivotal in securing Rangers' advancement in Europe.

Martin also highlighted individual performances like those of John Souttar and Nasser Djiga, who were instrumental in defence alongside Butland's heroics. He noted that while Butland has been exceptional recently, they aim to rely less on him moving forward.

The manager stressed how vital substitutions were during this match and how they contributed significantly to their success. He believes that this experience will help the team grow and improve further as they continue their European campaign.