‘We have to be better' – Rangers boss Russell Martin reacts to Panathinaikos display as he reveals his message to stars
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RUSSELL MARTIN has urged his Rangers heroes to shoot for the stars after securing European league-phase football.
In a repeat of last week's clash, Djeidi Gassama leapt off the bench to score with his first touch.
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Russell Martin at full-time in Greece
Credit: Getty
It sealed the 1-1 draw against Panathinaikos which means Gers are now guaranteed a place in Europe beyond Christmas. And with the first leg of their third-round qualifier against Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox on Tuesday, Martin has told his players not to settle for second best.
The Gers boss said: 'My job as head coach here is to always want more from the players, so I'm really pleased with tonight that we qualified. But I have to want more in terms of the performance and what we're doing — we have to be better.
'I said to them I'm so proud of them, but we have to get better, and we will, I really believe that.
'But we are at a club that demands we try to win every game.
'It's part of the reason we're all here, so we'll give it our best shot, attack it as best we can and see where it takes us.'
Having survived a first- half onslaught, Filip Djuricic finally cut Gers open.
But the hostile home support was silenced minutes later as Gassama produced another stunner.
Martin praised his side's character as they emerged from the Athens cauldron with their Champions League dream intact.
He said: 'I'm incredibly proud of the team, the staff, the fans were amazing too, so it's a big night for us.
'We played against a really good team, in a really difficult place to play. It's as tough a draw as we could have had.
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'So they'll have moments but we didn't start either game well enough. At half-time they had to compose themselves and do exactly what I asked of them.
'After conceding, it's the best response.
'They stuck together, fought, dug in, and in the second half we played some really good football too, and should have had a few more moments ourselves, but they'll grow so much from that.
'I said to the players before the game, you have an opportunity not many people get to have nights like this, to make the most of it.'
Gassama has now scored twice in Europe, justifying the £2.2million Gers shelled out to sign him.
How they rated
Jack Butland
Huge save from Facundo Pellistri and was crucial during the early onslaught. Will be disappointed to concede a weak header but Gers' top man over two legs.8
James Tavernier
Caught on the ball too often in a difficult night for the Gers skipper, but dug deep as the Ibrox men managed to get the result they needed.6
Nasser Djiga
Got himself into trouble with his passing out from the back at times but covered the ground really well and was strong in one v one situations.7
John Souttar
At the centre of an early penalty claim for handball but it would have been harsh. Display wasn't faultless but he stood strong when Rangers needed him.7
Max Aarons
Lucky escape after a mix-up with Souttar from a simple long ball. Didn't look overly comfortable on the left but made himself available and put in a shift.6
Joe Rothwell
Quiet start but tried his best to get on the ball and calm Rangers down by playing simple passes. Never flustered in possession and got stuck in.7
Mohamed Diomande
Couldn't really make an impact on the ball but energy and workrate was crucial as he ran himself into the ground in the stifling Athens heat.7
Nico Raskin
Burst forward on a first-half break but couldn't get a shot away. Busy in the midfield and always looked to make things happen as he took responsibility.7
Kieran Dowell
Booked for a cynical foul just before the break and didn't offer much more in the first half. Fell asleep at back post as Filip Duricic headed in the opener.5
Findlay Curtis
Half chance inside the box and also had a couple of breaks but the Gers kid found it tough as the Greeks pressed. Subbed after the opener.5
Danilo
Fed off scraps as the lone striker but hold-up play needs to be a lot better when Rangers are under pressure. Kept going and heavily involved at the equaliser.6
SUBS: DJEIDI GASSAMA (7) on at 1-0 and levelled instantly with a brilliant finish to kill the Greek momentum. JEFTE (5) Brazilian left-back replaced the tiring Dowell. CYRIEL DESSERS (3) last ten to give Danilo a rest and missed golden chance. NEDIM BAJRAMI (3) on at the same time for Rothwell.
And Martin believes the winger will only get better.
The Ibrox boss stressed: 'It's a tough call to leave anyone out of the team, especially when someone had such an impact off the bench.
'But we went for consistency, players who had played together more.
'Gas is still catching up for sure and he had such a big moment last week, it took the stuffing out of him, it made him tired because it was so much adrenaline, he had such a brilliant start.
'He knows what we think of him here, he also knows that he has to be patient and he is more ready to start now than he has been before tonight.'
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