World media reacts as Rangers 'injustice' triggers spiteful Panathinaikos probe over an unforgivable error

Daily Record

23-07-2025

There there things to work on for Russell Martin's new-look side but the former Scotland international is delighted with the result.
You know it's been a successful night when you have the opposition's local media desperately seeking an intervention over a result they simply can't fathom.
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Were there things to work on for Russell Martin 's new-look Rangers side? Of course, but they have to work out the kinks after a rousing 2-0 win over Panathinaikos in the first leg of their Champions League second round qualifier at Ibrox.
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Giorgos Vagiannidis was sent off minutes after Findlay Curtis announced his arrival in light blue with the opener and that was followed up by jet-heeled Djeidi Gassama smashing home on his debut.
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It wasn't the perfect night with the visitors spurning a series of golden chances, however, Martin and his bold ideas were evident on night one.
But no one was safe as one outlet attempted reverse psychology and Filip Djurisic, Vagiannidis and boss Rui Vitória, were all condemned over their role ahead of the return leg in Athens next week. Record Sport goes to Greece and beyond to see how others are viewing a thrilling night at Ibrox.
Kathimerini (Greece)
"The result does not do justice to the Greek team at all, with the visitors at Ibrox having major complaints from the referee who left them with 10 men early in the second half after a highly controversial second booking for Giorgos Vagiannidis.
"Panathinaikos was by far the better team in the first 50 minutes of the game, missing several chances and even hitting the woodwork in the 9th minute with Facundo Pellistri. Somehow Rangers kept a clean sheet and only started asking questions at the Panathinaikos goal after the 35th minute.
"Against the run of play the Scots took the lead with a well-balanced shot from a distance by Findlay Curtis. Giorgos Kyriakopoulos was denied a penalty despite getting kicked on the leg and a minute later Curtis powered the ball superbly into Bartlomiej Dragowski's net.
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"As if that had not been enough, Vagiannidis got his marching orders through a very harsh second yellow card, to leave Panathinaikos with 10 men for about 40 minutes.
"That predictably led to the tipping of the game's balance to Rangers' favor, with the hosts scoring a second goal six minutes from time via Djeidi Gassama.
"The Greens paid for wasting their chances. However the return leg on July 30 at the Olympic Stadium of Athens will be a completely different game."
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Sportime (Greece)
"It's hard to understand how Panathinaikos lost this game. A match that should have been won in the first half. But at the start of the second half, the picture was similar, with Panathinaikos pressing.
"Filip Djurisic is fatal, even more lethal than Giorgos Vayannidis. If we put them on the scale. The Serbian midfielder had clear chances to score. At least four, three of them classic. While in the 5th he takes a choice for no reason, for the home team to go on the counterattack and make it 1-0.
"His worst moment, of course, was when he stole the ball, found himself alone against Butland and didn't even take a shot!
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"Vayannidis also had a bad day . He could have been sent off before the second yellow card, but the Lithuanian referee spared him, just as he did to Rangers. But the next time he gave him a card.
"And defensively, the Greek defender wasn't good, losing Curtis in the 1-0 phase. Let's not talk about the diving phase.."
A Bola (Portugal)
"Rui Vitória, coach of Greek side Panathinaikos , had a less than happy first night in the UEFA Champions League , losing the first leg of the second qualifying round of the European competition 0-2 against Scottish side Rangers. Vagiannidis , a target for Sporting in this summer transfer window, was sent off in the 58th minute.
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"After the defeat, the 55-year-old Portuguese coach expressed confidence in the team's recovery and highlighted the team's strong performance up until Georgios Vagiannidis ' red card."
Gavros (Greece)
"Don't dare let Panathinaikos stay out of Europe. Not for Greek football, nor for the UEFA rankings. For us. For the laughs. For the show that this team consistently offers every year.
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"Is it possible for the "ambassador" to be missing from Europe? It's not possible! And of course we can't stop hearing the joke "Greece, Europe, Panathinaikos", which makes us cry with laughter every time!
"Okay. Obviously, we don't care what Panathinaikos will do. We only care about the Legend moving forward, and that's what he's doing! But a little laugh with... our favourite team doesn't hurt!"
Proto Thema (Greece)
"Panathinaikos played its first official match of the new season at Ibrox Park, against Rangers for the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League . The "green" fans have been dynamic, but those who stood out with the "good morning" were the Scottish fans, who raised a banner depicting the Parthenon and reading, "obstacles become our path", while also presenting the figure of the Goddess Athena."