logo
Rangers players ratings as Jack Butland and Nasser Djiga stand tall in Athens but new boy looks awkward

Rangers players ratings as Jack Butland and Nasser Djiga stand tall in Athens but new boy looks awkward

Daily Record30-07-2025
It wasn't easy for the Glasgow giants as they navigated the tricky Panathinaikos test
Rangers battled to a 1-1 Champions League draw as they hit Panathinaikos with a sucker punch on their own turf.

Russell Martin has got his Ibrox career off to a dream start after Jack Butland rescued the visitors on numerous occasions in Athens before Filip Duricic's header survived a VAR check to open the scoring.

But Djeidi Gassama climbed off the bench to get on the scoresheet for the second week in a row against the Greeks - and deflate the home crowd.

The Light Blues face Viktoria Plzen or Servette in the next round. But who impressed on the night? Record Sport takes a look.
JACK BUTLAND
First leg saviour produced another two huge early stops to deny Pellistri and Ioannidis. Couldn't sort feet out for goal. 8
JAMES TAVERNIER
The Rangers kipper gave the fans a few nervy moments with unnecessary errors. But still played part in impressive defensive effort. 6
NASSER DJIGA

Superb. Aggressive when required, dug Rothwell out a hole after sloppy first half pass and a couple of quality touches under pressure. 8
JOHN SOUTTAR

Stood tall against early pressure and was focal point for building from back. Excellent positioning and solid partnership with Djiga. 8
MAX AARONS
Kept spot at left back but struggled against pace of Pellistri and played Duricic on at goal. Looks awkward on left. Ended game in more accustomed right side. 6

JOE ROTHWELL
Few errant passes early on but influence in possession grew as Rangers got a grip on game. Will be a big player this season. 7
NICO RASKIN

Man who makes Rangers tick was tireless in midfield, snappy in tackle and another driving run led to goal just like last week. 8
MOHAMED DIOMANDE
Spoke a good game pre-match and certainly tried to get on ball as much as possible but with inconsistent results. 6

FINDLAY CURTIS
Goal hero last week had little opportunity to show his flair but worked socks off before making way for Gassama. 6
KIERAN DOWELL

Another show of faith from Martin on right flank, put in a shift off the ball, nothing flashy going the other way. Booked for trip. 6
DANILO
Brazilian emptied the tank up top, link-up not great but played part in goal with two attempts saved before Gassama's finish. 6

SUBS:
DJEDEI GASSAMA
Outrageous instant impact off bench again. Quick flick started move that ended with superb finish to put game to bed. 8

JEFTE
CYRIEL DESSERS
NEDIM BAJRAMI
On for Rothwell in middle of park for last 10 as Rangers closed out win. 2
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Club Brugge copy Rangers blueprint as they take huge step to facing Ibrox side in Champions League play-offs
Club Brugge copy Rangers blueprint as they take huge step to facing Ibrox side in Champions League play-offs

Scottish Sun

timea minute ago

  • Scottish Sun

Club Brugge copy Rangers blueprint as they take huge step to facing Ibrox side in Champions League play-offs

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CLUB BRUGGE must have been watching Rangers in action before they took to the field for their own Champions League qualifier this evening. The Belgian side rode their luck and had goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to thank before a goal midway through the second half gave them a huge advantage going into the second leg. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 1 Romeo Vermant of Club Brugge celebrates his crucial goal Credit: Getty Remind you of anything? ...Sounds a lot like when Rangers faced Panathinaikos at Ibrox in the second qualifying round. The Light Blues withstood some heavy pressure from the Greeks and had to call upon the best of Jack Butland to keep them in the match. But then up stepped Findlay Curtis and Djeidi Gassama in the second half to give them a 2-0 lead that ultimately proved pivotal in their quest to reach the third qualifying round. Russell Martin's Gers swept Viktoria Plzen aside by three goals to nil last night and have one foot in the play-off round already. They have been drawn to face either Brugge or Red Bull Salzburg at that stage and after tonight's game between those sides, it's the Belgian giants who are in pole position. Brugge, runners-up in last season's Belgian Pro League, won 1-0 in Salzburg thanks to a 74th minute strike from Romeo Vermant. The striker nipped in front of his marker to steer home a teasing cross from Bjorn Meijer and with the return leg back at their home ground, they will fancy their chances of progression. Former Sunderland keeper Mignolet made some fine stops early on but his highlight moment came in the 82nd minute when he made a superb double-save to deny Petar Ratkov and then Dorgeles Nene. If Gers finish the job against Plzen, they will be at home in the first leg of the play-off, which is scheduled for August 19. Rangers boss Russell Martin's big Tavernier and Raskin calls vs Plzen as he opens up on John Souttar contract Brugge edged the possession stats and played more passes but it was Salzburg who created more chances, with 20 shots in total. Earlier on, Chelsea-bound wonderkid Dastan Satpayev smashed in a nerveless 90th minute penalty against Slovan Bratislava to leave Celtic staring at a gruelling visit to take on Kairat Almaty in the play-offs. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

‘Had to be a big boy' – Frank Lampard says he has no intention of swapping Coventry for TV studio despite play-off blow
‘Had to be a big boy' – Frank Lampard says he has no intention of swapping Coventry for TV studio despite play-off blow

The Sun

timea minute ago

  • The Sun

‘Had to be a big boy' – Frank Lampard says he has no intention of swapping Coventry for TV studio despite play-off blow

FRANK LAMPARD accepts he is a glutton for punishment. One of the Premier League's greatest ever stars has had to deal with more than his fair share of 'hurt' as a boss having been brutally sacked by both Chelsea and Everton. 2 2 That followed his experience of suffering Wembley play-off final heartache when he was cutting his managerial teeth in charge of Derby. And if that wasn't enough to put him off the managerial lark, he watched on helplessly as Coventry were cruelly defeated in the play-off semi at Sunderland last May. But, no matter, the Coventry boss says he has no intention of swapping cold, wet Tuesday nights in Stoke for the comfort of the TV studio like fellow Prem icons. And nor does Lamps have any plans to work on his handicap on the golf course rather than patrolling the training ground like other ex-pros. But, instead, he's relishing the challenge of leading the Sky Blues from the depths of despair to another tilt at Prem promotion. Lampard had to fight back the tears when Cov were dramatically denied a place in the Championship play-off final by Dan Ballard's dramatic last-gasp winner on Wearside in May. The cruel finale meant there was no fairytale ending for the Sky Blues who were 17th when Lampard took charge following Mark Robins' sacking. But, in an exclusive SunSport interview, Lampard, 47, has admitted he can't wait to give it another go. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 'Ex-players have their choices in terms of what they want to do with their lives,' Lampard told SunSport. 'They can play golf, they can go into punditry or they can just go into a different line of work. 'I was 38, 39 I was when I finished and there's still a long way to go in your life and management is my line of work. 'And I have to admit I love doing what I do. I love working with the players. I love being on the training pitch. I love working with people. 'Everyone has their choices and I've made my choice and this is a challenging career but there's also a lot of pluses to it. 'I've pitted my wits against elite managers in the Champions League, managed at Chelsea, at Everton and at Derby and every single experience is valuable.' And, win or lose, there seems little chance that Chelsea legend Lampard, who won 11 major trophies in 13 years at Stamford Bridge, will not see things in perspective. But surely he found it difficult to pick himself up after what happened at the Stadium of Light? 'Yes and no,' says Lampard with a smile. 'If you ask my wife, she'll say yes, but if you ask me, I've been there before. 'I've had what I think you can describe as a really good playing career and managerial career. 'But within that, there's ups and downs all the time and that comes with the football territory. 'There are some things you can't quite control – like the Sunderland game in the end. 'But I've got a bit more balance about things like that at the moment even though they really hurt at the time. 'I had to be a big boy and make sure it didn't ruin my summer and it helps that I've developed a good work-life balance. 'I've got children who are all happy and healthy, so you just keep plugging away, sticking at it, giving it your best shot.' And that will mean turning pain into gain at the CBS Arena after the agonising near-miss. 'It was turning into a special story - we were one step away from Wembley and playing really well, particularly in those playoff games,' he added. 'It ultimately came down to small details - chances you don't convert and a header that comes off a shoulder and goes in. 'There was deep disappointment but you get over that because it's football and you have no choice but to start again. 'I spoke to lot of people over the summer. I met Coventry fans and neutrals and they all told me how well we'd done. 'That made me feel proud but my job is to understand that the hard work starts again.' Lampard added: 'We'd made all these strides and then when you miss out, you feel as manager of a club that you have a big responsibility in it. 'I still had a relatively good summer because I was with my family and had a break. 'But there were things, I was thinking all the time. I'm just thinking how can we do better and how can we try and start the season better. 'I can't wait to get back to the competitive games. I'm raring to go.'

Inside Chelsea's ‘very awkward' trophy lift event with empty seats and fans saying ‘players couldn't care less'
Inside Chelsea's ‘very awkward' trophy lift event with empty seats and fans saying ‘players couldn't care less'

The Sun

timea minute ago

  • The Sun

Inside Chelsea's ‘very awkward' trophy lift event with empty seats and fans saying ‘players couldn't care less'

TROPHY parades in recent seasons have become a chance for thousands of fans to get together, line the streets and celebrate their team holding silverware aloft on an open top bus. But for Chelsea, after their Conference League and Club World Cup victories, it seems becoming Champions of the World wasn't enough to justify that level of chaos. 6 6 6 6 Instead, the Blues opted for an hour-long in-house trophy celebration with a fairly drab atmosphere, leaving the players unenthused and some fans disappointed. Almost immediately after the 'ceremony' one Chelsea fan took to X to vent his frustration, claiming 'The players couldn't care less about this event lmao, very awkward.' It was a statement that was tough to disagree with. Another added: "This Chelsea trophy event, looks like the men's players don't want to be there! Show a little enthusiasm or smile for the fans that showed up! So awkward!" The Stamford Bridge west stand was far from full, with fans who bought tickets to the far right or left of the stand being instructed to move to the empty seats in the centre for a better view early on. Despite this, with a ticket costing just £5, less than a beer at the ground, fans were perhaps given fair value. Members of the Treble-winning women's team, including captain Millie Bright, were out first with the WSL title, league cup and FA Cup, before being joined by the entire men's team with the Club World Cup and Conference League trophies. Chelsea heroes Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were given huge ovations by the supporters in attendance, before all of the announced new signings were given an official introduction to Blues' supporters - unsurprisingly it was Estevao Willian who got the biggest cheer. The new Brazilian was officially announced as a Chelsea player yesterday, a year after agreeing a deal to join Enzo Maresca's side, and was comically forced by Malo Gusto to watch the French fullback's goal against Estevao's Palmeiras side at the Club World Cup on the big screen. The idea was for the players to stroll down a blue carpet onto a plinth, before joining their team-mates to one side - though it seemed only Tosin Adarabioyo was fussed about trying to get his team-mates to avoid just walking to the side to join their pals, rather than take to the stage. The players were also given a chance to do a 'Donald Trump-less' lift of the Club World Cup trophy, but again, looked less than thrilled with captain Reece James not even holding the trophy aloft his head. Though in fairness to James, it may be difficult to get ramped up and celebrate a trophy won over a month ago with few fans in attendance - or a US President looking on. Before they were allowed to head home, James and Maresca were asked for their message to the fans before their 25/26 campaign gets going with a pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night. It was the manager who raised a few eyebrows in the ground with his 'rallying cry', after women's manager Sonia Bompastor had vowed for the team to target all FOUR trophies next campaign. Instead of instilling the fans with hope, and daring them to dream that the team will compete for major honours this season, Maresca instead pleaded for the fans to get behind the team. 6 He said: 'The message from me is quite clear. The players need the fans, so it's important that they're always behind them. This is my main message.' This comes against a backdrop of Maresca last season asking for a more energetic and encouraging atmosphere at home games for the Blues - something that he feels is essential in the team's quest for Champions League and Premier League glory. Perhaps we're old fashioned, but a traditional trophy parade might be a better idea the next time this team do pick up silverware.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store