Rangers head coach Russell Martin expressed immense pride in his squad’s achievement, having successfully navigated past Panathinaikos to advance into the third qualifying round of the prestigious Champions League. This significant European football milestone comes mere weeks after Martin assumed leadership, highlighting the rapid progress under his guidance.
The Scottish giants secured their passage with a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the second leg at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, complementing their commanding 2-0 victory from the first encounter at Ibrox. This aggregate triumph underscores a determined performance against a challenging Greek opponent.
Despite protecting a two-goal lead, Rangers found themselves trailing in the second half when Filip Djuricic netted for Panathinaikos in the 54th minute. However, the team demonstrated remarkable resilience, with substitute Djeidi Gassama providing an emphatic response just three minutes after his introduction, levelling the score on the hour mark.
Looking ahead in the Champions League campaign, Rangers FC are now set to face Czech side Viktoria Plzen. Plzen earned their spot in the next round by overcoming Servette 3-1 in Geneva, securing a 3-2 aggregate win. The initial leg of this crucial tie is scheduled to take place at Ibrox next week.
While Martin and his staff are undoubtedly focused on progressing further in Europe’s premier club competition, the advancement ensures Rangers’ continued participation in European football at the very least. This includes a guaranteed place in the Conference League group stages, providing a valuable platform for the team regardless of the Champions League outcome.
Martin’s tenure, spanning just five weeks, has already seen the squad evolve significantly. He acknowledged that while the team still makes occasional mistakes and has areas for improved cohesiveness, their undeniable determination was a key factor in overcoming a Panathinaikos side that proved wasteful in front of goal.
A recurring theme in Martin’s assessment was the vital, yet perhaps over-relied upon, performances of goalkeeper Jack Butland. Martin praised Butland’s brilliance across both legs but candidly admitted the need for the team to become less dependent on his heroics going forward, while also commending the defensive solidity of players like John Souttar and Nasser Djiga.
The strategic impact of substitutions also played a crucial role in the outcome, a point highlighted by Martin. The immediate influence of players coming off the bench underscores the squad’s depth and tactical adaptability, proving instrumental in securing this significant step in their European journey. This collective effort has not only qualified them for the Europa League but now provides a clear path to vigorously pursue the Champions League.
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