Rangers fans say ‘you know what to do' as ex-Ibrox coach gets inside info into Champions League rivals Panathinaikos
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AS recently as a month ago, Issame Charai was a vital part of the coaching team at Ibrox.
But when he moved on by mutual consent as Russell Martin arrived at the club back in June, the Belgian can scarcely have imagined he would get a front row seat when it comes to the Ibrox side's rivals in a huge Champions League showdown.
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Former Rangers assistant coach Issame Charai is now at Westerlo in Belgium
Credit: Alamy
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Facundo Pellistri in action during Panathinaikos' Austrian training camp
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
That's because it just so happened that his new team Westerlo were the opponents for the last match of Panathinaikos' Austrian training camp.
A cool £40m is on the line when the Greeks visit Ibrox for Tuesday's second qualifying round tie first leg, with the prospect of a fraught second match to come in Athens the following Wednesday.
So the Ibrox men could do with all the help they can get - and just perhaps one phone call they will put in will be to former first team coach Charai.
His Westerlo side were unable to prevent the Greeks running out 3-1 winners on the day.
Goals from Adam Cerin, Facundo Pellestri and Adrianu Bregu did the damage for the Greeks, with Kyan Vaessen scoring the only goal for the Belgians.
But he took to social media afterwards to hail the latest stage in an 'intense and valuable pre-season'.
Charai wrote: "Great experience for the Westerlo boys in Athens against, their last game before facing Rangers.
"Closing out the final weeks of an intense and valuable pre-season."
Supporters of the Ibrox club were certainly of the opinion that a phone call to their former assistant coach should go in.
One wrote simply: "You know what to do Issame."
Rangers boss Russell Martin opens up on transfer plans as he delivers updates on Dessers and Igamane
A second said: "Let Hamza know the defenders' weaknesses before Tuesday!"
A third said: "Straight on the phone to Martin."
When he left Charai said he had fond memories of the "constant" support.
He said: "This is a really special club, and as it enters a new era, I want to wish everyone associated with the club the very best for what comes next.
"Above all, I want to thank the Rangers supporters for their amazing backing across the period.
"We had some high moments and some low moments, but their support was the constant. It is something I will always remember and be forever grateful for."
Appointed Philippe Clement's assistant manager in January, Charai continued to serve under Barry Ferguson's interim reign.
Chief executive Patrick Stewart said Charai was "a real asset" to the Ibrox club.
"Through the managerial transition in February and beyond, he handled himself superbly and was a real asset to Barry and his staff during their period in charge of the team," he told the club's website.
"As the men's first-team moves forth into this new era under Russell, it has been agreed between the club and Issame for him to move on."
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