On a sweltering Athens night, Rangers FC held their nerve to secure a 1-1 draw against Panathinaikos, ensuring progression to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League with a 3-1 aggregate victory. While far from flawless, Russell Martin’s side showcased enough character and resolve to grind out a result in testing conditions.
A Gritty Performance Seals the Result
Rangers went into the second leg with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Glasgow, but that cushion looked precarious after Filip Duricic broke the deadlock for the Greek side. The goal was awarded following a VAR check, which confirmed the Serbian was onside.
Just as momentum threatened to swing in favor of the hosts, Djeidi Gassama—who also scored in the first leg—delivered again. Only minutes after coming off the bench, the young forward struck a fierce shot off the post to level the game and quash Panathinaikos’ comeback hopes.
While Gassama’s impact was critical, John Souttar stood as a rock in central defense amidst the Greek onslaught.
“That’s how you build a team, coming through those tough moments,” Souttar told BBC Scotland.
“It shows our mentality… We’ve got [Butland] to thank because he was excellent again.”
Butland’s Heroics and Defensive Grit
Goalkeeper Jack Butland was instrumental, producing multiple saves to keep Rangers afloat. His presence between the sticks has been a major boost in this new era under head coach Russell Martin.
Martin, reflecting on the team’s growth, said: “We will get better. The group will grow so much from this.”
Concerns Over Possession and Style of Play
Despite the result, Rangers were far from convincing in possession. Both legs saw the Scottish side surrender the ball cheaply, inviting pressure and allowing Panathinaikos numerous chances.
Former striker Peter Lovenkrands expressed concern: “If Gassama hadn’t scored then, I think Rangers could have potentially conceded the game… Rangers don’t really have time. The style of play right now, seems like it’s not really working right now.”
Similarly, ex-midfielder Andy Halliday warned: “You would anticipate they are probably weaker opponents than Panathinaikos, but if Rangers play like they’ve played over the two ties, they’re going to make it difficult for themselves.”
Viktoria Plzen Await in the Next Round
Rangers now face Viktoria Plzen of the Czech Republic in the third round—a tie that offers a potentially smoother route to the Champions League group stage, but one not without its challenges. Rangers are a work in progress and will definitely improve on what they’ve shown over the two legs,” Halliday added.
“There are a lot of things for them to work on and new faces will help as well.”
Final Thoughts
While Rangers FC march on in Europe, their performance in Athens is both a cause for celebration and a cautionary tale. Gassama’s rising influence, Butland’s reliability, and the squad’s resilience are all positives. But for Martin’s long-term vision to take shape, better ball control and a more coherent style of play will be critical moving forward.
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