
Rangers get Champions League TV double billing for crunch Panathinaikos qualifier as broadcast details revealed
Both legs of Rangers ' crucial Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos have been given a top TV billing.
On Tuesday, July 22, Russell Martin will lead his team out at Ibrox in a competitive fixture for the first time when the Greeks are in town for the first leg of the second round clash.
Eight days later, Gers will then travel to Athens for the return fixture at the Athens Olympic Stadium on Wednesday, July 30.
The two teams will square off for the first time since the 2007/08 campaign, where Rangers edged out Panathinaikos over two legs in the round of 32 in the UEFA Cup on route to their final defeat to Zenit St Petersburg.
Martin has strengthened his squad with seven new faces ahead of the game as he looks to guide the club into the revamped group stages of the Champions League for the first time since the 2021/22 season.
And fans hoping to watch his new-look team in action will get the chance to see both games on TV.
The first leg showdown has been picked up by Premier Sports, who will begin their coverage at 7.15pm on Tuesday, July 22 ahead of the 7.45pm kick-off.
And eight days later, the second leg clash in the Greek capital will be broadcast on BBC Scotland, with the game kicking off at 7pm.
Earlier on Friday, Rangers' squad for the two-legged tie was locked in, as per UEFA regulations.
All of the new summer recruits have made the cut, including Norway international Thelo Aasgaard, despite the former Luton Town star picking up an injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Dunfermline earlier this week.
Returning midfielder Kieran Dowell is included following his loan spell at Birmingham City in the second half of last season but fringe players Ben Davies, Rabbi Matondo, Jose Cifuentes, Ross McCausland and Robin Propper have all been left out with their immediate futures at Ibrox in serious doubt.
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