Rangers need to sharpen up for Panathinaikos return leg or this could turn into a Greek tragedy, writes Kris Boyd

Scottish Sun

a day ago

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PANATHINAIKOS are a bang average side by Champions League standards.
But you would be mad to think Rangers have already qualified for the next round.
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Findlay Curtis scored the opener to help Rangers beat Panathinaikos
Credit: PA
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But Jack Butland also played a huge part in keeping Rangers in the game
Credit: SNS
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Gers hero Kris Boyd knows the tie is far from over and the Greeks are dangerous
Credit: Willie Vass
Russell Martin's men can't start bearing gifts to the Greeks in Athens like they did at Ibrox.
If they do, they will be in trouble — despite Panathinaikos not being that good.
It was a strange first leg last Tuesday as Gers secured a 2-0 home win. By full-time, Rangers' players were kicking themselves that they didn't score three or four.
Yet they were fortunate not to be 2-0 down at half-time — with Jack Butland back to his very best to keep them in it. The big keeper lost his place as No 1 at the end of last season, but this was a proper return to form.
The goalie was a massive presence for Gers, and will be so important again in Athens.
Boss Martin was quick to state that the tie is not over. He was spot on — there is still work to do.
But Rangers have given themselves every chance of getting to the third qualifying round.
Looking at the first game, you'd fancy them to score at least once in Greece on Wednesday.
Panathinaikos have decent players, but Gers have beaten far better teams in Europe.
It's going to be hot in Athens and the conditions won't be easy.
Rangers fans unfurl giant tifo ahead of Russell Martin's first match
But the hostility awaiting Rangers has been overplayed. I have no concerns on that front.
Panathinaikos fans will be loud but the Olympic Stadium's running track lessens the impact.
The only worry for Gers is if the lapses that gave up chances at Ibrox creep in again.
Martin warned beforehand that it wouldn't be perfect, and his players didn't look comfortable early on.
They gave the ball away too often, and on another night they would have been punished.
But it was the first game of the season, under a new manager with a different style of play.
Let's cut the Gers players some slack and focus on the way they grew into it.
They had the measure of Panathinaikos before they were reduced to ten men.
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Djedi Gassama grabbed a goal on his debut to make it 2-0
Credit: Alamy
In the end, the Greek side were lucky to leave Glasgow only 2-0 behind.
Rangers are in the driving seat, but Martin's players must be switched on in Athens.
They need to manage the game and produce the type of disciplined away performance that has been their hallmark in Europe in recent years. Rangers should have enough to get through and I don't expect Martin to make too many changes.
You'll understand the calls for Djeidi Gassama to start after his first-leg goal.
Hamza Igamane was another sub who had an impact when he came on.
But it wouldn't surprise me if Martin only made one change — and that would be replacing Danilo at centre-forward.
The Brazilian struggled to get into the game, and with Cyriel Dessers and Igamane getting fitter, Martin might be tempted to start one of them.
Behind the No 9, I'd expect Kieran Dowell and Findlay Curtis to start again.
For fitness and football reasons, they are a safer bet as things stand.
Curtis scored a great goal, but he also put in a power of work defensively and that will be crucial in Greece.
Dowell wasn't the most adventurous on the ball, but he's had a full pre-season and his ability to keep possession will be important.
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If the game opens up, Gassama would be the perfect sub with his pace and power.
The midfield picks itself, and Joe Rothwell wasn't far behind Butland for man-of-the-match in the first leg.
Ahead of him, Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande both played their part.
As Martin settles in at Ibrox, he is likely to stick with that trio in the short term. But you do wonder whether the balance between them will be what he wants going forward.
I'm not sure it will work, and that makes me wonder whether Raskin or Diomande could move in this window.
The Belgian has two years left on his contract and would have no shortage of suitors. Diomande is another who has impressed, and is worth more than the £4.5million Gers paid for him.
Martin is trying to build a team and wants to keep his best players at the club.
But Rangers also need to get a proper, reliable player-trading model up and running under the new owners.
Raskin or Diomande could fetch big fees, and it wouldn't surprise me if one of them moves on late in the window. As Martin says, his Gers squad will look completely different by the end of August as the changes continue.
But the Ibrox gaffer also has to take care of the here and now, and finishing the job in Athens would be a major step forward for him.
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