
Moment Panathinaikos fans take over Irish bar and sit in Glasgow street ahead of crunch Rangers clash
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
PANATHINAIKOS fans have been spotted enjoying themselves ahead of tonight's £40m Champions League crunch versus Rangers at Ibrox.
The Athens outfit are renowned for their passionate supporters and a group of their followers have made themselves at home in Glasgow's Merchant City ahead of the clash.
Sign up for the Rangers newsletter
Sign up
2
Fans gather in the street outside Connolly's Irish bar
2
The fans go wild
Russell Martin is kicking off his reign as Rangers boss with his first game against Panathinaikos in a crunch Champions League qualifier.
And the Greek fans are clearly up for it - with footage shared on social media by Greek outlet Gazzetta showing fans sitting and kneeling down in the STREET then going wild as they performed terracing chants outside Connolly's Irish Bar on Bell Street in the city.
It's an establishment usually hugely popular with followers of Celtic and the travelling Greek fans - whose side also wear green and white and have a shamrock for their badge - clearly making themselves feel at home.
It was captioned with the words: "Panathinaikos fans are going wild in Glasgow!"
Both Panathinaikos and Rangers have three qualifying rounds to get past to reach the moneyspinning all-new Champions League 'league' phase for the first time.
The winners of the tie will face either Servette or Viktoria Plzen in the next round with the likes of Club Brugge or Benfica potentially waiting in the playoff round.
Premier League scouts, meanwhile, will be in attendance at Ibrox tonight to watch over a target who is attracting serious transfer interest, it's being claimed.
Star right-back Giorgos Vagiannidis is expected to start for Rui Vitoria tonight and he'll be hoping to put on a show in front of admirers.
According to Prasinoforos, scouts from the likes of Wolves and Everton among other clubs will be watching the action in Govan to assess the 23-year-old.
They could also have their eyes on at least one Rangers star, though, as Everton have recently expressed interest in a current Gers ace.
Rangers AREN'T READY for Champions League qualifiers Plus latest transfer news REVEALED
Hamza Igamane is believed to be on the radar of the Merseyside club, with other Premier League sides reportedly keeping tabs on him as well.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Metro
17 minutes ago
- Metro
Sesko 'gentleman's agreement' revealed after transfer interest from English club
Benjamin Sesko has a 'gentleman's agreement' to leave RB Leipzig this summer with Newcastle United interested in move, according to reports. Sesko has long been tipped for a transfer to the Premier League, with Manchester United and Arsenal both previously linked to the striker. Newcastle are now thought to be keen on the Slovenia international as a potential replacement for their unhappy superstar forward Alexander Isak. Isak dropped a transfer bombshell on Thursday, telling Newcastle he wants to leave after being linked with a £150m record move to Liverpool. Following Isak's decision, Newcastle are now keeping tabs on Sesko's situation, and have been informed on how much the deal will cost. That's according to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who has revealed a 'gentleman's agreement' between Sesko and RB Leipzig. The agreement is that Sesko will be allowed to leave for a fee of around €70-80m, plus €5-10m add-ons. However, the agreement is only valid for a few clubs which have been considered 'special' by Sesko – and it's unclear if Newcastle are on the list. It should also be noted that Newcastle are working on 'multiple deals' and are strongly considering a move for Brentford forward Yoane Wissa. It's been quite a tough season for Leipzig, which forced them to change coach after a disappointing Champions League campaign. They've been struggling, which reflects on his output, but he's still been one of their best and most consistent players. Sesko's strengths are certainly his physicality and speed – he's great at making dangerous runs in behind defences, but he's also a very clinical and instinctive finisher, especially when the ball drops to him in the area. His work rate is good and he's a willing runner off the ball as well. His hold-up play is quite strong, but I think his link-up play is a side of his game that he can still improve. It's not that he's bad at that side of the game, but compared to someone like Kai Havertz, he's not at that level. But during his young career, he's shown he can take those steps forward. His mentality is definitely a strength – he's a player who wants to learn and wants to improve so in that sense he will be a quick learner. Rune Gjerulff, German football expert and editor of Bulinews Sesko came close to joining Arsenal 12 months ago before Euro 2024 – but opted to remain at RB Leipzig – and ended up signing a new contract. More Trending Arsenal reignited their interest this summer – but ultimately decided to focus on signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP instead. Andrea Berta, Arsenal's sporting director, had appeared to be making progress in talks with RB Leipzig – but walked away with the German club digging their heels in. Arsenal were still at least €10m away from meeting Leipzig's asking price and were unhappy with the structure of an €80m deal, The Independent reported earlier this month. MORE: Alan Shearer accuses Newcastle of lying as Liverpool target Alexander Isak MORE: Arsenal announce signing of 'intelligent' £13m Valencia star Cristhian Mosquera MORE: £46m Chelsea 'impostor' set for transfer move with club to take huge financial blow


Metro
17 minutes ago
- Metro
Alan Shearer accuses Newcastle of lying as Liverpool target Alexander Isak
Alan Shearer says it's 'disappointing' and 'ridiculous' that Newcastle expect fans to believe their statement suggesting Alexander Isak pulled out of their pre-season tour due to an injury. Eddie Howe named his 30-man party for the Toon's trip to Asia on Thursday and Isak's absence was, unsurprisingly, the headline news, with the striker supposedly struggling with a muscle issue. But it appears most Newcastle fans, Shearer included, simply aren't buying the club's explanation and are convinced Isak's withdrawal is more than likely linked to rumblings of an impending transfer. Isak's future has been the subject of intense speculation throughout the summer and the sought-after 25-year-old has reportedly told the Magpies of his desire to explore a move away from St James' Park. Liverpool have been alerted to a potential deal having renewed discussions with Newcastle to gauge the Swede's availability earlier this month. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. The Premier League champions would be prepared to splash out as much as £120million for the ex-Real Sociedad forward, despite already bringing in Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike this week. 'It's ridiculous what Newcastle put out this morning to say he wasn't on the trip because of a slight thigh injury,' legendary ex-Newcastle and England striker Shearer told Betfair. 'If they thought people wouldn't see through that, it's disappointing . They should've just told the truth straight away. I understand it's a very difficult situation for them but it is what it is. 'Eddie Howe has to use all his persuasive powers to do what he can and try to make him stay at least one more year. If that can't happen then it is what it is. 'You have to get the very best deal for the football club and if someone is prepared to pay north of £150m, and if he really, really wants to go, you can't step in his way.' Shearer believes Newcastle have no other option but to sign a replacement and 'build for the future' if Isak is adamant that he wants to move on. He added: 'Isak has been brilliant for Newcastle, helped us achieve our dream of winning a trophy and, if there's no way whatsoever that he can be persuaded to stay at Newcastle, then they have to get the best deal possible. 'If someone's prepared to pay what they want, you have to say thank you and build for the future. 'There's no individual bigger than the football club.' According to Shearer, the Premier League's all-time top scorer, there is no doubt that the Toon would be losing a truly 'world-class player' should Isak up sticks and leave. 'It sounds like Isak is going to leave. The news came out very strongly this morning and when that happens it seems to be a reality, he continued. 'Player's leave football clubs all the time and get replaced. If that's the case here, it's disappointing but you have to say thank you and move on. 'If Eddie can persuade him to stay, it'll be great but if he can't, it'll be very disappointing because Newcastle would be losing a world-class player.' Isak's possible departure has forced Newcastle to turn to the transfer market for a potential long-term successor up front. Yoane Wissa has been heavily linked and Shearer is an admirer of the Brentford forward, who 19 goals in the Premier League last term. However, he feels his former club may still need 'another two or three' high-quality signings so as not to leave Howe short ahead of the new season. More Trending 'For Newcastle, it's been a bit slow in terms of getting players that Eddie Howe wants so he can work with them,' Shearer went on. 'But Anthony Elanga is a good signing, a really good one, and if they're able to get Yoane Wissa then that's another very good signing. 'Elanga and Wissa would be two very good signings, and we've already got one of them but if, and it's a big if, Newcastle sign Wissa, I still feel as if they need another two or three in there. 'I know it sounds as if they're strongly in for James Trafford, although so may Manchester City be, but I'd think Eddie Howe would still want another two or three players on top of Wissa if they get him.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Arsenal announce signing of 'intelligent' £13m Valencia star Cristhian Mosquera MORE: £46m Chelsea 'impostor' set for transfer move with club to take huge financial blow MORE: Aston Villa respond to Manchester United approach for Ollie Watkins


The Independent
17 minutes ago
- The Independent
Woody Johnson completes purchase of Crystal Palace shares
Crystal Palace have confirmed that Woody Johnson's purchase of Eagle Football's shareholding in the club has been completed. American businessman Johnson – who is co-owner of the New York Jets – joins chairman Steve Parish, Josh Harris and David Blitzer as a partner and director of the Eagles, and has also signed the Premier League's Owners' Charter. 'I am honoured and privileged to be joining the ownership group of Crystal Palace Football Club,' Johnson told the Eagles website. 'It is an organisation with a proud history, tradition, and deep roots in English football in South London, which I came to admire during my time as US Ambassador to the United Kingdom. 'Eagles fans have demonstrated extraordinary loyalty, passion, and unwavering dedication and I am excited to meet and get to know them. 'I have great respect for Steve Parish and the leadership he has provided over the years. 'I look forward to working with him and the entire ownership group to build on the club's recent successes and help shape an exciting future for Crystal Palace. 'This is more than an investment – it's a commitment to realising the vision for the club, the community, and the culture around Selhurst Park.' Johnson's arrival at Palace comes with the club in dispute with UEFA over which European competition they will play in next season after winning the FA Cup in May. The Eagles were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League after falling foul of UEFA's rules governing multi-club ownership, but have submitted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. UEFA determined that as of March 1, American businessman John Textor had control or influence in Palace and French club Lyon. Textor said he had agreed to sell his stake in Palace to Johnson, but the move came too late to satisfy UEFA. Parish said: 'At this exciting time for Crystal Palace, we are delighted to be welcoming Woody to the ownership of the football club, and we very much look forward to working alongside him to build on our historic recent success moving forwards.'