Panathinaikos legend warns ex-club of 'explosive' Ibrox atmosphere
The last time the sides met, it finished goalless at Ibrox in 2008 before Giumas opened the scoring for the hosts in the return leg.
But an 81st minute goal from Nacho Novo saw Rangers go through on away goals to send them into the Last 16 in a competition where they eventually went all the way to the final before losing to Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester.
Read more:
And Goumas - who spent his entire career at Panathinaikos and helped Greece win Euro 2004 - is wary of the Ibrox atmosphere.
He said: "The key for the tie is for Panathinaikos to withstand the pressure in Scotland.
"I scored a great goal against Rangers in 2008, but it meant nothing because we didn't qualify. It was a shame because it was one of the best goals of my career.
"Rangers are also undergoing transformation with a new manager and players and we don't know how they will present themselves in these two games.
"But they are a Scottish team and we know the Scots bring out that extra passion, especially at home.
"The atmosphere in front of their fans will be explosive.
"That's the key for me, in the first game Panathinaikos will have to withstand the pressure and must try to be able to score without being afraid of the home team.
"They have to go and play their game, get a result and if they do that, I think their task will be easier in the second leg.
"Any player who wears the Panathinaikos jersey must honour it and give everything they have.
"There is no need for fear, but there is certainly pressure in Glasgow."
Meanwhile, Panathinaikos have slashed ticket prices for their home leg against Rangers next week to just £13 in a bid to get a full house.
The game has been moved to Athens' Olympic Stadium because Panathinaikos' home stadium is still being renovated and they want to get as close to the capacity of 69,000 as possible.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Catching Rangers cold can be vital for us, says Motherwell captain
Paul McGinn hopes Russell Martin's side have a Euro hangover at Fir Park Paul McGinn hopes Motherwell can catch Rangers cold after a white-hot battle in the cauldron of Panathinaikos in their Champions League qualifier. Russell Martin's side head to the Olympic Stadium in Athens tonight [Wednesday] in their second round second leg, protecting a 2-0 lead from Ibrox, before arriving in ML1 on Saturday evening. McGinn joked that he hopes the game goes to extra-time, to give his side more of a chance of causing a Premiership opening day upset. Speaking after Motherwell's 1-1 draw at home to Hertha Berlin in Friday's friendly, Well skipper McGinn said: 'I think it's more relevant to Rangers, in terms of how they move and how they can punish you, so it was a better test than the low blocks we've been facing. I think it proved to be a very good friendly to have. 'I've not had a chance to watch Rangers' game from last week, but I can watch it during the week, and hopefully its's the hottest game ever for them! 'Hopefully the European game is tough for them, going away, and I'm sure Panathinaikos will take the game to them, so hopefully it's a really hard 90 minutes for them, and we can catch them just a wee bit off it. Sometimes at Motherwell, you need these things. 'We know it's going to be tough. You need to be at the top of your game to beat Celtic and Rangers, and the new season, same story – you need to be at your best. 'I think you'd be silly to think you're going to dominate a game [against Rangers] so we definitely work on what they can do, and what we can do to them.' Defender McGinn added: 'With a new manager and new players, it could be a chance to catch them on the hop, normally, but we're the same. 'It can work either way, I suppose. We got Philippe Clement's teams when he was starting to struggle and it makes a difference, whereas they're coming in fresh and they've not realised the burden of playing for Rangers at times. 'It can work either way. You can ask me, 10 minutes in, what I think!' McGinn says Well's pre-season has left them in good shape for the clash. He said: 'I'm sure the gaffer is still trying to get two or three players in, but we've properly had a chance to work on how he likes to play. It's very similar to your Aston Villas and stuff that I watch. I've seen plenty of it, it can be good to play in, and I'm hopeful that we can do it well.' McGinn suffered repeated thigh tears last term that left him playing 10 games, and hopes that is behind him. He said: 'That was easily the hardest one in my long career, and that's just the way it happens in football that a recurring injury is probably everyone's worst nightmare. 'I had torn my thigh, but it was my tendon at the top of my thigh that had worn down. I just repeated it again, and it hadn't healed properly, so I had to get an operation on it – get some scaffolding in there! 'I feel really good and, touch wood, that's right behind me.'
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd and Newcastle sent clear message about Benjamin Sesko's family - 'I'm afraid'
Manchester United are keen on signing RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko this summer, but they face a battle with Newcastle United for his signature Stuart Pearce looked back on his experience as a football manager and offered one cruel fact all clubs must remember - most players and their families want to live in London, Manchester and other major cities in the UK. Manchester United, despite missing out on many targets this summer, have, so far, successfully secured the services of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Ruben Amorim is also on the hunt for a new striker, with Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko high on their list. Since Alexander Isak informed Newcastle United that he would like to leave, the Magpies have been linked with a move for Sesko. Eddie Howe's side are in a position to offer Champions League football and the involvement in a football project which has been amassing a huge amount of momentum. But while United are not in Europe's elite cup competition next season, Pearce believes Manchester's vibrant city life still provides clubs like United with a bargaining chip in attracting players. "I found out through my experience as a manager in the Premier League that players want to play in the Champions League," Pearce told the Manchester Evening News. "That's a big part of what they want to do. "That's the first thing (they ask). 'Are you in the Champions League?' A lot of players want to be near the big cities. They want to be near Manchester, they want to be in London and their families want to be there. "You're fighting, geographically, if you are up in Newcastle and that's just the nature of a footballer's mentality, I'm afraid. They might be drawn to whether they have friends at other clubs as well, or friends of their wives and families are a big part of that. "There are a lot of things to contend with. More so than what you see in front of your eyes on some occasions." United appear to be embroiled in a transfer battle with Newcastle for Sesko's services. The promising Slovenian is amongst Europe's most coveted prospects and had previously caught Arsenal's eye, before the Gunners shifted their focus towards securing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP. Newcastle's summer dealings hint they may be waging an uphill struggle in their pursuit of Sesko. Whilst they did secure former United winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for £55m, the majority of their priority targets have rejected the club's advances. Joao Pedro, Mbeumo, Liam Delap, Cunha and, most recently, James Trafford were all courted by the Magpies, but opted join Chelsea, United and Manchester City. Now the Magpies – who are competing in the Champions League – face the prospect of losing star striker Isak. Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal and Liverpool are the leading contenders for his services. The player reportedly carries a colossal price tag of around £150m, which would make him the most expensive Premier League of all time, by a huge distance. Isak was notably absent from Newcastle's pre-season tour to Asia with his teammates. Howe has consistently maintained that the star is not on the market, but concedes that his influence over the situation is limited. He recently said: "He is still our player. He's contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Arne Slot urged to U-turn on Liverpool transfer as January option emerges
Liverpool have enjoyed a productive summer transfer window but are yet to bolster the heart of their defence despite being linked with Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi Liverpool don't need to rush out and buy a new defender this summer, claims former Reds' No 1 David James - who believes Arne Slot's side will be able to rely on outscoring opponents for now. The Reds have spent heavily this summer, parting with well over £200million. That has seen them bring in the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz. Now their attention has turned to Alexander Isak with the prolific Swede open to leaving Newcastle this summer. Anfield is seen as his most likely destination and that would further bolster a Liverpool attack that already includes the likes of Mohamed Salah. Slot though has sanctioned the departure of Jarell Quansah whilst Ibrahima Konate, whose contract expires next summer, continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid in 12 months time. That has led to Liverpool's interest in Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi. James though maintains that Liverpool's defence will more than hold up for the early part of the season with their backline unlikely to face its toughest tests until the latter stages of the Champions League, giving them time to source reinforcements. He said: 'You'd think their offence will always be better than the opposition's defence and they will be able to out-score other teams except for the occasional game. 'The idea Liverpool have to have the best defence would be wonderful, but I don't think they have to rush into buying someone. It might be something that happens in January. The end of the Champions League campaign is naturally when you come up against better teams and your defensive issues can be called into question. 'I imagine they will have so much success anyway they won't feel they have to desperately go out and buy someone and looking at the signings there doesn't appear to be any desperation so far.' Guehi has just captained the Eagles to the FA Cup but doesn't have plans to extend his deal at Selhurst Park, which expires in a year. He hasn't ruled out the possibility of running down his contract which would make him a free agent next summer. Virgil van Dijk remains the team's defensive leader and he recently signed a new deal. Joe Gomez, who has been hampered by fitness issues for years, has just left the team's pre-season camp with an injury problem.
