Russell Martin believes win over Panathinaikos will help Rangers' players grow
Filip Djuricic eventually opened the scoring for the dominant Greek outfit with a header in the 53rd minute but, moments after coming on as substitute, Djeidi Gassama, who scored after coming off the bench to make his debut last week, levelled at 1-1 with a stunning drive.
Rangers set up a third qualifying tie against Czech side Viktoria Plzen, who knocked out Swiss outfit Servette.
Boss Martin told Rangers' official YouTube channel: 'I'm so proud of the team, the group and the fans were incredible.
'It was a big night for us, so early on in the process of trying to be the team we want to be.
'I don't think it can be underestimated how difficult this tie and this night was and, especially after the first half, it was so difficult.
'But I think the players have come through a really tough time and I'm really proud of them.
'And then we have a setback by conceding the goal and then we took the sting out of the game by scoring and responding really quickly, that's not easy.
'The fans were amazing and they stuck with us throughout and it's been a really good night and we will get better.
'It's so early on. There's loads of growing to do and nights like this will definitely help the players grow.'
Martin was pleased with the resolve he saw from his side.
He added: 'They were really together tonight in the second half, especially, and I'm really proud of them for that because we asked for that at half-time and they dug in and they fought and there were some brilliant moments with the boys.
'It didn't come to enough but there were some big performances and I'm really pleased.
'At this football club, you have to have to be resilient and you have to you show a level of effort and fight and application and desire or you just won't last very long.
'And they did all of that. So I'm so proud, but it has to be all the time.
'And we have to be relentless with that and there wasn't enough of it in the first half, so it's my job to be really proud of the players but to make sure we get better and we will because, as I said, they'll grow so much from tonight.'
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Daily Record
29 minutes ago
- Daily Record
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"Half the fans think you're good, half think you're a waste of space and your career is on hold - it's really mentally a difficult space to be. "The hope of playing European football was there and you have to give your list for Champions League football. "We had a lot of transfers and it just wasn't right the way it was handled. "I was denied to go on loan with the reasoning being we need you for Champions League, you have to have three goalkeepers for Champions League. "When the Champions League list came out they said we can't take you in as we have too many foreigners. "It felt like a kick in the teeth and I felt a little bit betrayed by that. "But I did my best. I also have an obligation to my teammates to be the best version of myself in training and I was still celebrating the success with them. "You can't be a bad egg, I just don't believe in it. I tried to be the best professional I could be. "Your teammates always understand. But the board didn't understand that. 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Scottish Sun
29 minutes ago
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Scottish Sun
29 minutes ago
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