10 Rangers glass half full and empty takeaways as Russell Martin claim in media room proves he's an action man

Daily Record

8 hours ago

We look beyond the scoreline and take a deeper dive into the talking points from a big European night at Ibrox
It was the proverbial game of two halves at Ibrox as the Russell Martin era got off to a winning start.
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And, depending on their outlook, the Rangers legions can review it in two different ways.
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There will be those whose glass is always half full and accentuate the positives - starting with the scoreline.
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Others might have concerns over the opening 45 minutes and the fact Panathinaikos could have been a couple of goals up on another day before the tide turned.
The Light Blues have one foot in the Champions League third qualifying round and that can only be a good thing.
But Record Sport looks a bit deeper and looks at 10 positives and negatives from the big match.
Glass half full
A win's a win
A win was the most important thing and nothing can be taken granted at Champions League level. So much talk in the build-up was over how Rangers weren't prepared for such a big game at the start of a new era. That showed at times but the result was all that mattered. And if they avoid defeat in Athens then they will guarantee themselves group stage football, a scenario which isn't certain this season and would be catastrophic financially.
Curtis isn't (second) half bad
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The extremely fickle nature of football fans means their opinions can rapidly change - even within a single game. And that was the case for Findlay Curtis.
The glass half full brigade will focus on his second half display and in particular his goal which broke the deadlock to send Ibrox wild - and the Light Blues on their way to victory. As well as his goal, the youngster also drew in the foul from Georgios Vagiannidis which saw the visitors reduced to 10 men.
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Belief in new era
A manager can try to implement his style with hours of work on the training field and tactical talks but there is no substitute for results to help players buy into what they are being told. Martin himself admitted that after the game, saying: 'We work on things for a reason and if they're right some of the time, they're right all of the time. For some of our players to feel that tonight and come through it, it'll be incredible for them.'
Not your average Joe
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Djeidi Gassama was the summer recruit who grabbed the headlines with his stunner for Rangers' second goal shortly after coming off the bench but Joe Rothwell, while not grabbing the headlines on the night, looks a shrewd acquisition. He was composed in the middle of the park and quietly dictated he player in the second half - the kind of midfielder the Light Blues have lacked since the days of Steven Davis.
Jack is back
He would have preferred not to have been so involved but it will have done Jack Butland's confidence no harm at all to have come to the rescue for Rangers on a couple of occasions. He was dropped by Barry Ferguson last season with Liam Kelly taking his place towards the end of last season, leading to doubts over his No. 1 position. Plenty of fans expected - and still might - Martin to bring in a new keeper. But Butland looked back to his old self and in that form is a huge player for Rangers.
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Glass half empty
Heat could still be on in Athens
Given Rangers had an extra man advantage for the last half hour then, with a full house behind them, they could have been heading to Greece to enjoy a bit of summer sun with their place in the third qualifying round.
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A third goal would surely have killed this tie off - and the fact they didn't will give Panathinaikos a slither of hope. Nico Raskin was denied by a superb double save and there were other opportunities but they couldn't get it. That will nag the ultra critical.
Curtis is (first) half bad
It was a dream come true from Findlay Curtis as commentator Rory Hamilton screamed 'the boy from Balfron' after his opening. He grabbed the headlines and a pat on the back from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. But it can't hide the fact that plenty of punters were screaming for him to be hooked at the break. He had a tough opening 45 minutes but never gave up and got his reward.
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Defence exposed
The aforementioned Jack Butland was called upon to keep Panathinaikos out and had the Greeks been more clinical - Nemanja Maksimovic missed an incredible chance with the goal at his mercy - then Rangers could have found themselves and Ibrox could have been a very different place if they had conceded first. The rearguard will have to tighten up.
Left is not right
Max Aarons did brilliantly for the second Rangers goal, showing great tenacity to win the ball back in their own corner and start the move. But he did that on his natural right side position - and there's no doubt he didn't look as comfortable on the left. Russell Martin could face a dilemma with Aarons clearly more suited to the right back position occupied by skipper James Tavernier. And, if Aarons isn't the answer at left back it could force the manager to recruit for that position with neither Ridvan Yilmaz or Jefte at the level needed.
Dowell redemption arc is shortlived
Rangers fans were surprised to say the least at Russell Martin talking up Kieran Dowell during pre-season, even naming the ex Everton and Norwich City man in his leadership group. Few would have believed at the end of last season that he could have been trusted to start a huge Champions League qualifier. But that's exactly what happened as he was named in the XI, however, his performance did little to change those who had already made up their mind on him.