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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Cool cat' Curtis ignites Martin's Rangers reign
While several new faces have arrived at Rangers at the dawn of a new era, Russell Martin has continually reiterated his openness to be surprised by members of the squad he inherited. It would be fair to assume Findlay Curtis files into that category after the teenager was trusted to start on the left of Martin's attack in his first competitive match in charge of the Ibrox club. The first leg of the Champions League second-round qualifier against Panathinaikos was just a sixth Rangers appearance for the 18-year-old. It was only his second start. "He has the athleticism and talent to play in his team for sure, but he also has the character," Martin explained pre-match. With Rangers looking nervy and vulnerable for the majority of a first half Martin described as "uncomfortable", Curtis eased growing tension by demanding the ball, driving inside, and unleashing a stunning strike to ignite Martin's reign. A first goal in senior football, it was a moment that swung momentum and had former Rangers wide men waxing lyrical. "Brilliant, son. He's a cool cat this kid, I tell you," ex-Ibrox winger and coach Neil McCann said on Premier Sports. "That's a fantastic finish, I love that," was the view of Peter Lovenkrands on BBC Sportsound. Visit our Rangers page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Get Rangers news notifications in the BBC Sport app Martin's Rangers 'far from finished article' Martin said Curtis "had some tough moments" in the opening half, but on his first start on the European stage, the youngster responded to almost single-handedly shift the mood and the course of the game at Ibrox. Six minutes after opening the scoring, another delicate touch and driving run from the teenager resulted in Panathinaikos' Georgios Vagiannidis picking up a second yellow card. That sending off allowed Rangers to take control of a contest that was overwhelming them in the opening period, and Curtis' replacement, Djeidi Gassama, sealed a vital two-goal first-leg win with another fine strike. "We expected it to be tough, they are a really good team," Martin told BBC Scotland. "We had some uncomfortable moments in the first half. "We were far from the finished article, but the players showed character and a willingness to fight and to run for each other. And, as the game went on, they started to look after the ball better." 'Perfect result doesn't tell full story of match' In a difficult opening period, Curtis was not alone in toiling. After a bright opening few minutes, Rangers ceased any control by continually giving up possession as the visitors spurned multiple chances. Panathinaikos side had managed 22 touches in the opposition box at the interval, while Rangers were on just six. The hosts had goalkeeper Jack Butland, restored to the starting line-up after being dropped at the end of last season, to thank for at least three excellent saves. Martin hailed Butland as an "outstanding goalkeeper" before challenging his players to approach next week's second leg, which will be shown live on the BBC, with "the same mentality and the same willingness to run and more". Former Rangers striker Steven Thompson expressed caution despite a "perfect" first-leg result. "Maybe [the result] doesn't tell the full story of the match," he added on BBC Sportsound. "Until the sending off, Panathinaikos were well in the game. "Rangers have put themselves in a great position, but it's not over yet. European football is difficult and Panathinaikos will feel they have something to prove." Have your say What did you make of Rangers' display in Martin's competitive debut? What did you think of Curtis' performance and Gassama's impact? And what about Butland's response to returning to the side? Send us your thoughts
The National
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Bizarre moment Rangers sub blocked because of socks
The Albanian midfielder was lined up to replace Joe Rothwell in the closing stages of the Champions League tie against Panathinaikos. However, Bajrami would be prevented from taking to the pitch as fourth official Robertas Smitas stopped the substitution from going ahead. The fourth official blocked Bajrami's substitution (Image: Premier Sports) Premier Sports cameras picked up Bajrami's frustration at the intervention from the UEFA official as he returned to the bench to switch his socks. The issue appears to come down to the fact that Bajrami had cut holes in his socks. It has become increasingly popular to see professionals cut their socks in order to relieve pressure on the calf muscle. Russell Martin also engaged with the fourth official after having the sub stopped as he looked to introduce Bajrami to the action for the final minutes with [[Rangers]] leading 2-0. Bajrami would final enter the pitch moments later, after booting a bottle in frustration, wearing a fresh pair of socks. Read more: Commentator Rory Hamilton described the action: "Well, Bajrami was ready to come on but he's been turned away by the fourth official. "Something is not quite right with the change there. Russell Martin is now enquiring as to exactly why the winger wasn't able to come on. "Now Bajrami is ready. I think it was a problem with the socks, which are now okay." The issue was over holes cut in the player's socks (Image: Premier Sports) Neil McCann added: "He's not happy, he is ripping socks off and everything down there." Hamilton then continued: "Well, still the conversation goes on between Russell Martin and the fourth official. He is furious they can't get Nedim Bajrami on.
The National
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
'Work in progress' - Russell Martin after first Rangers win
Rangers will now head to Athens on Wednesday, July 30 to try and seal their place in the next round of the elite European competition. But the Ibrox boss eased talks of taking a comfortable lead to Greece as he vowed his side must improve as he labelled the performance a "work in progress". "Until the tie is done, I don't think we can be comfortable," said Martin on Premier Sports. "We have had a really good first half of the tie. "Now we have to compete there and improve from this game and be better. "I am confident we will be." Discussing the victory and his first experience of a competitive match at Ibrox in the dugout, he added: "The aim of the game is to win and keep a clean sheet and to experience the atmosphere is great. Read more: "I thought the fans were amazing because I said before, it is not all going to be easy and there may be a few scary, bumpy moments and the fans stuck with the team incredibly well during those. "I think we grew as the game went on, even before the sending off we were starting to grow and play with a bit more care and a bit more detail. "There was lots to like, lots to work on. Very much a work in progress but for a start it was really good." A Findlay Curtis effort followed by a Djeidi Gassama strike earned Rangers victory - and Martin was full of praise for the teenager after his impact. "He was great," said the manager. "He started the game a bit nervous, as any 18-year-old fan would. But he grew into it and got better and better. "He received too many balls in the first half with his back to their goal, facing his own goal. We gave him a bit of information at half time and he took it on so well. "I'm delighted for him. It was an amazing finish."
The National
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Union Bears unveil huge Rangers Champions League tifo
The supporter group arranged a tifo to span the entirety of the Copland Stand ahead of kick-off in the crucial Euro qualifier at Ibrox. The massive tifo read: "The Obstacles Become Our Way". "A new dawn at Ibrox Stadium!" 🏟️ [[Rangers]] fans are ready for the beginning of the Russell Martin era and the challenge of a Champions League qualifier 🔵 — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) July 22, 2025 The quote appears to be inspired by a phrase used by former Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. He had said: 'The impediment to action advances action. "What stands in the way becomes the way.' Read more: Russell Martin is leading Rangers into his first match as the Ibrox boss. On what his message to his players was in the dressing room before the tie, he said: "I think to trust the work they've done over the last four and a half weeks, to stick together no matter what happens, to run relentlessly, to fight for everything and to try and be the team we want to be. "So to get the crowd behind them quickly with energy, enthusiasm, and physicality. "So I'm really excited about it, and we'll learn so much about where we're at tonight and what we need to do. "But I believe the players are ready to win the game and to put in a performance that we're all happy with."
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Union Bears unveil huge Rangers Champions League tifo
The massive tifo read: "The Obstacles Become Our Way". "A new dawn at Ibrox Stadium!" 🏟️ [[Rangers]] fans are ready for the beginning of the Russell Martin era and the challenge of a Champions League qualifier 🔵 — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) July 22, 2025 The quote appears to be inspired by a phrase used by former Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. He had said: 'The impediment to action advances action. "What stands in the way becomes the way.' Read more: Russell Martin is leading Rangers into his first match as the Ibrox boss. On what his message to his players was in the dressing room before the tie, he said: "I think to trust the work they've done over the last four and a half weeks, to stick together no matter what happens, to run relentlessly, to fight for everything and to try and be the team we want to be. "So to get the crowd behind them quickly with energy, enthusiasm, and physicality. "So I'm really excited about it, and we'll learn so much about where we're at tonight and what we need to do. "But I believe the players are ready to win the game and to put in a performance that we're all happy with."
