Russell Martin in unflinching Rangers declaration as he throws down Champions League gauntlet

Daily Record

7 days ago

Martin's men secure progression with a battling draw in Greece
Proud Russell Martin hailed his Rangers team for booking Euro group stage football - but says he's now dreaming of the Champions League.
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The Ibrox men fought out a 1-1 draw in Athens against Panathinaikos to secure a 3-1 aggregate victory.
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Djeidi Gassama came off the bench to cancel out Filip Duricic's opener - and silence the home crowd in the Olympic Stadium.
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Martin's side now have guaranteed group phase football to look forward to, whether it's in the Champions League, Europa League or Conference.
But after progressing to the third qualifying round of Europe's top competition - where they'll face Czech side Viktoria Plzen - the Gers boss insist they'll shoot for the stars and try to earn a spot among the big boys.
Martin was delighted with the character his players showed in the Athens heat.
And when asked if he's now aiming for Champions League qualification, he said: 'Yeah. I think my job as head coach here is to always want more from the players.
'So, I'm really pleased tonight that we've qualified - but I have to want more in terms of the performance and what we're doing.
'We have to be better. So I said to the players, I'm so proud of them but we have to get better - and we will get better.
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'I really believe that. We're here at a football club that demands we try to win every game we play.
'It's part of the reason we're all here so we'll give it our very best shot and attack the Champions League the best we can to see where it takes us.'
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It was a huge night for Martin in his first Euro tie as Rangers manager.
His team were under the cosh at times in Athens and fell behind to Duricic's opener.
But they showed terrific resilience to stand firm and then a moment of magic from Gassama took them through.
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Afterwards, Martin heaped praise on his players who have taken on his new ideas and way of playing.
He said: 'I'm incredibly proud of the team and the staff - and the fans were amazing.
'It's a big night for us. Listen, we were playing a really good team in a really difficult place to play.
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'Over the two games Panathinaikos were very good. It was probably the toughest draw we could have got. So they were always going to have moments in the game.
'We didn't start both legs well enough in the first half but at half- time tonight, the players composed themselves and did exactly what I asked of them.
'After conceding the goal, it was the best response from us.
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'They stuck together, they fought, they dug in - and in the second half we played some really good football as well.
'We should have had a few more moments ourselves. But we'll get better and the players will grow so much from that.
'I'm so proud of everyone. I said to the players before the game, at this club you have an opportunity not many people get to have nights like this, really brilliant moments.
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'I told them to make the most of it and I'm really proud of them.'
can give his players a huge injection of belief in what he's trying to do ahead of the campaign.
He said: 'The second half tonight will help the team grow so much.
'I've told them, early on is as hard as it will ever get because you have to learn, you have to feel it and go through it.
'We've got through a really difficult tie over two legs with a win and we've got group stage football.
'We can now attack the Champions League and have a right go.'