Rangers have been handed a seriously tough draw in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round – a two-legged showdown against Panathinaikos, the 2023/24 runners-up in the Greek Super League.
It’s a draw that will raise eyebrows and blood pressure in equal measure. This tie represents a stern early-season examination for Russell Martin’s new-look Rangers side – one that arrives at exactly the wrong time for a club undergoing a summer of change.
🏟️ First Leg at Ibrox – But No Room for Error
Rangers will host the first leg at Ibrox on 22-23 July, with the decisive return played in Greece the following week. That puts serious pressure on getting a result at home — ideally with a clean sheet — before entering the furnace of Athens in mid-summer.
The Greek capital will be roasting in late July, and the atmosphere at Panathinaikos’ Leoforos Stadium is notoriously intense. This isn’t the kind of place you want to chase a result — so it’s crucial Rangers take control of the tie in Glasgow.
⚔️ Panathinaikos: Dangerous Opponents With a Strong Record vs Scots
Swiss side Servette and Norway’s Brann were also possible opponents, but Rangers landed Panathinaikos, a club with serious European pedigree and a knack for navigating these early rounds.
The Greeks have never lost over 90 minutes to Scottish opposition in four meetings – two against Rangers, one against Aberdeen, and two against Motherwell – and have won four of their seven encounters.
However, when these two sides last met in the 2007-08 UEFA Cup, it was Rangers who progressed. A 0-0 at Ibrox followed by a 1-1 draw in Athens was enough to send Walter Smith’s men through on away goals — a run that famously ended in the final in Manchester.
Panathinaikos haven’t reached the Champions League proper since 2010-11. Last season, they fought their way through Europa League and Conference League qualifiers, knocking out Lens and Vikingur Reykjavik before eventually falling to Fiorentina in the last 16.
This is a team that knows how to handle European football — and won’t fear a trip to Glasgow.
🧱 Martin’s Mission: Assemble Fast, Embed Faster
Russell Martin wants Rangers to play with control, tempo, and modern attacking structure. But with the first leg just over a month away, time is not on his side. New signings are arriving, but the system needs to click quickly — and these players need to gel even faster.
Pre-season will be about more than fitness — it’ll be about installing the manager’s identity and forging an understanding across a squad in transition.
Players like Jack Butland, John Souttar, Diomande, and Igamane may form the early spine of the team, but recruitment needs to be sharp and immediate if Rangers are to be fully prepared.
⚠️ Verdict: Take Your Chance at Ibrox – or Risk the Heat in Athens
Make no mistake — this is a tough draw. Panathinaikos are seasoned, smart, and physical. And Athens in July will be an unforgiving place if Rangers go there with a deficit.
But if Russell Martin’s men can seize the moment at Ibrox, keep it tight at the back, and bring a lead to Greece — then qualification is well within reach.
We’ve done it before. We know what it takes. Let’s do it again.
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