Rangers Face Panathinaikos in Champions League Qualifier

Rangers Face Panathinaikos in Champions League Qualifier

Venue: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow Date: Tuesday, 22 July Time: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland Extra & Sounds, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app

Russell Martin, the head coach of Rangers, emphasizes that the opening match of the season against Panathinaikos will not be "season defining," yet he is keen for supporters to leave the game feeling positive.

Martin, who will be leading Rangers in a competitive match for the first time since his appointment, is set to face Greek Super League runners-up Panathinaikos in the Champions League second qualifying round first leg on Tuesday.

The winner of this tie will face either Viktoria Plzen or Servette, while the loser will compete in a Europa League qualifying match against Besiktas or Shakhtar Donetsk.

"It's not going to be a season-defining game. It's a really big game," Martin stated.

"The season is long, and our performance will be defined by what we do between now and May. Over the past four weeks, I've been pleased, but tomorrow will be a significant test to evaluate our progress and understand the work that lies ahead."

"The most intriguing and exciting aspect for us as a coaching staff is that tomorrow we'll learn a lot about the team and what we need to prioritize moving forward. It's crucial for the supporters to feel positively about their team and the new direction we're taking."

"Hopefully, the fans will be excited about what's to come and feel a strong connection with the club. If we can achieve that connection, the energy at Ibrox can make us unstoppable."

Rangers, under the previous management of Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson, finished last season 17 points behind Scottish Premiership champions Celtic. Meanwhile, Rui Vitoria's Panathinaikos were 16 points shy of Super League champions Olympiacos.

Last season, a goal from Cyriel Dessers secured a 1-1 draw for Rangers against Olympiacos in the Europa League.

"Panathinaikos is a team that knows each other well," said Martin, who previously managed Southampton and played as a defender for Rangers. "They have very talented players and significant strengths, as do we."

Team News

New Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgard is unavailable for the match. Recent signings Djeidi Gassama, Cyriel Dessers, and Hamza Igamane are expected to feature as substitutes.

Potential debutants for the hosts include Max Aarons, Lyall Cameron, Nasser Djiga, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Joe Rothwell. Established players Ben Davies, Rabbi Matondo, Ross McCausland, Robin Propper, and Ridvan Yilmaz are not in Rangers' squad, nor is the injured Dujon Sterling.

"Dessers, Gassama, and Igamane aren't ready to start yet," Martin explained. "They're not prepared to play 90 minutes but are definitely ready to contribute. We'll see them over the two ties, with their minutes determined by the game's flow. They are physically ready to help, just not for a full match yet. Missing pre-season is challenging at any age."

What They Said

Rangers captain James Tavernier: "Our objective is to win. It's a fresh start for the club, and we're excited. It's a new season, and we aim to push ourselves to the very end."

"Tuesday night's game is the most important of our season so far. It's our first game, and we must capitalize on being at Ibrox with our fans to secure a good result for the second leg. We know the return leg will be challenging due to the heat."

"Panathinaikos is a tough test. It's our first competitive game, and we need to make an impact from the first whistle, setting the tone for the match."

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