Max Aarons explains what Rangers have already done under Russell Martin that makes him sense success
Max Aarons believes Rangers are ready to answer Russell Martin's call and storm all the way back into the Champions League proper.
The Bournemouth loanee isn't thinking about the Europa League safety net secured by the battling victory over Panathinaikos - as he wants to be among Europe's elite.
Rangers still have two huge hurdles to clear if they're to return to the top table for the first time in three years.
Czechs Victoria Plzn are up next with a play-off round awaiting the winner. Martin has challenged his players to reach for the stars.
And Aarons reckons the resilience shown in Wednesday's Panathinaikos pressure pot proves they should be targeting the money-spinning league phase rather than settling for another crack at the Europa.
He said: 'Of course. The manager spoke about it: coming to this club, you have to really respect that you're going to hopefully be part of big competitions and big European nights. We have to earn that.
'Nights like Wednesday give you the confidence that this team can suffer at times and dig in and come through it.
'We want to go as far as we can now. I came here because I believe this team can make the Champions League.
'That's got to be the ultimate goal, doing it the way we want and the way we want to play.'
Aarons is one of seven summer recruits already in the door as Martin overhauls his squad.
With just five weeks' preparation the new boss and his new-look side were thrown in at the deep end with the qualifiers against the Greek giants.
But they came through heavy pressure in both legs to secure a huge 3-1 win on aggregate.
Martin's possession-based style has placed huge demands on his players.
But Aarons reckons confidence has soared on the back of their Athens success.
He said: 'Five weeks in, you never know. We've prepared as much as we could, but you never know going into that first game how it's going to feel.
'Coming through that, growing into that game, ideally we'd start better in this game again. But coming here, you have to ride a little bit of pressure.
'To be in any successful team, you have to be able to do that and come through those moments. Yes, we want to dominate games more, but I think this is a really, really good step for us now. '
Martin's men have little time to recover before another huge test in tomorrow's Premiership opener at Motherwell.
Rangers have failed to win on the opening day in both the last two seasons.
And the 25-year-old full back knows it's vital they get off to a Fir Park flier and lay down and early marker.
He said: 'Of course, it's going to be different in the league. But like I said, that confidence and robustness that you build from playing game in, game out is what you want. You don't want to be waiting a week or 10 days for your next game.
'It's important that we all recover as well as possible, so that come Saturday we can start the league season with a big win.
'It's a big game and we have to take [care of] that now. This confidence coming to Panathinaikos, that is not an easy game and we have to take that into the league, where I believe we can beat anyone.'
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