Latest news with #Rangers'
Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Russell Martin gets Rangers lift-off thanks to inspired 18 y/o and one man's timely return to form
New boss off to a flyer with 2-0 first leg victory in Champions League qualifier Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ultra possession football is all very well and while Russell Martin might see this as the way forward for Rangers, sometimes it pays just to get the head down and run at defenders. Teenager Findlay Curtis, a glorious throwback to the days of tanner-ba' wingers, profited from this course of action to score one of the great European goals at Ibrox and set Rangers on the way to establishing a very handy 2-0 lead before the second game of this Champions League second qualifying round tie in Athens next week. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Fellow winger Djeidi Gassama, who was watching from the bench when Curtis opened the scoring in thrilling style, took his lead from the 18-year-old. The 21-year-old scored a goal that was almost as good on what turned out to be a terrific night for the home team and their new manager. Findlay Curtis celebrates after scoring Rangers' opener against Panathinaikos at Ibrox. (Photo by) | Getty Images Indeed, there will be frustration from Rangers that they didn't finish the contest off against ten men. They had chances to make it three, perhaps even 4-0, which is remarkable in light of the way they were hanging on at times in the opening half. Step forward No. 52 Curtis, who not only put Rangers in front six minutes after half time with a wonderful solo goal. He was then shortly afterwards the victim of a crude foul from Giorgos Vagiannidis. It saw the right back – who was booked for simulation in the first half – sent off. All of a sudden, Curtis seemed unplayable. It was a coming of age performance from an academy graduate who had posted notice of such talent on an emotional night at Old Trafford against Manchester United at the start of this year in the days following Denis Law's death. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sir Alex Ferguson was in the crowd that night and he was in the directors' box here to see a Scot give the Martin era lift off. Gassama, signed from Sheffield Wednesday earlier this summer, struck almost as stylishly minutes after coming on the park as a substitute, lashing a shot past Bartlomiej Dragowski from 20 yards. Rangers now have a commanding lead going into a tricky second game in Athens. It's one they would certainly have taken if offered before kick-off and they would have bitten your hand off for it at half time. Substitute Djeidi Gassama celebrates scoring Rangers' second goal against Panathinaikos at Ibrox. (Photo by) | Getty Images Mostly, the observation that it is hard to recognise a team is seen as a negative comment. In this new era at Rangers, however, distancing themselves as far as possible from recent sides was the goal. Martin certainly wishes to stamp his own identity on a team and it will take time. Contrary to James Tavernier's pre-match pledge about seeing a different Rangers, this team were at times all too familiar. Before Curtis' inspired intervention, they might have been two, possibly three, goals down. How could it be otherwise? Martin has not even been in the job 50 days yet. Although he is trying to be busy in the transfer market, only three new signings started here in his first competitive game. Rangers had to bear some of their old hallmarks, not all of which are negative. Jack Butland, for example, looked more like his old self. Although Curtis was rightly named man of the match, the Ibrox 'keeper, who lost both form and his place last season, was immense as he helped keep Rangers in the tie, with one save from Filip Durucic in the second half a particular standout. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Of course, the Rangers fans might still have to be patient. They will have to be forgiving. There was certainly a lot more passing the ball around at the back. This inevitably meant digging holes for themselves. They were fortunate the Greek visitors were unable to exploit them although they ought to have done so by the time the game was turned on its head in the space of seven or so second half minutes. Already processing going 1-0 down, the Greeks were then left on a damage-limitation exercise after Vagiannidis's red card. It was ironic that Rangers' opener stemmed from Butland mishandling a Duricic shot. The 'keeper quickly quelled alarm by retrieving the ball before rolling it out to Nico Raskin. The midfielder took a few strides into the visitors' half before transferring the ball to Curtis. The winger did the rest, coming inside before unleashing a curling shot into the corner past Dragowski. It changed everything. It certainly changed the mood in the stadium. At one point in the first half, Max Aarons had put his boot through the ball and then gestured to Martin, who was looking agitated at the touchline, as if to say, what more can I do? Rangers were on the rack in these early stages. Butland more than justified his return to the side. He was in the right place to beat away a point blank effort from Duricic just nine minutes in and then watched with relief as Pellistri hammered the ball against the post from equally close in, although the angle did provide the winger with some mitigation. Nemanja Maksimoviv headed over shortly afterwards. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Goalkeeper Jack Butland performed heroics for Rangers in the 2-0 victory over Panathinaikos at Ibrox. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group) | SNS Group The Obstacles Become Our Way – an old Stoic adage to do with overcoming adversity – were the chosen words of wisdom for the pre-match tifo, which depicted an epic scene involving a warrior, a lion and familiar Athens landmarks. While it was geographically relevant and certainly acceptable for the Ibrox censors after controversial recent efforts, another phrase might have been more appropriate: Rome wasn't built in a day. Athens in the second leg will still be hazardous, especially given the likely stifling heat. There were signs of what Martin is trying to do and signs those players brought in might be able to deliver his vision. Joe Rothwell was tidy at No. 6 and Aarons was, well, not much different to Ridvan Yilmaz at left back. Martin surprised by including Curtis in the starting XI at left wing. He could barely have believed how well this seeming gamble paid off. The teenager quickly caught the eye with some heroic tracking back early on.
Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Russell Martin gets Rangers lift-off thanks to inspired 18 y/o and one man's timely return to form
New boss off to a flyer with 2-0 first leg victory in Champions League qualifier Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ultra possession football is all very well and while Russell Martin might see this as the way forward for Rangers, sometimes it pays just to get the head down and run at defenders. Teenager Findlay Curtis, a glorious throwback to the days of tanner-ba' wingers, profited from this course of action to score one of the great European goals at Ibrox and set Rangers on the way to establishing a very handy 2-0 lead before the second game of this Champions League second qualifying round tie in Athens next week. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Fellow winger Djeidi Gassama, who was watching from the bench when Curtis opened the scoring in thrilling style, took his lead from the 18-year-old. The 21-year-old scored a goal that was almost as good on what turned out to be a terrific night for the home team and their new manager. Findlay Curtis celebrates after scoring Rangers' opener against Panathinaikos at Ibrox. (Photo by) | Getty Images Indeed, there will be frustration from Rangers that they didn't finish the contest off against ten men. They had chances to make it three, perhaps even 4-0, which is remarkable in light of the way they were hanging on at times in the opening half. Step forward No. 52 Curtis, who not only put Rangers in front six minutes after half time with a wonderful solo goal. He was then shortly afterwards the victim of a crude foul from Giorgos Vagiannidis. It saw the right back – who was booked for simulation in the first half – sent off. All of a sudden, Curtis seemed unplayable. It was a coming of age performance from an academy graduate who had posted notice of such talent on an emotional night at Old Trafford against Manchester United at the start of this year in the days following Denis Law's death. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sir Alex Ferguson was in the crowd that night and he was in the directors' box here to see a Scot give the Martin era lift off. Gassama, signed from Sheffield Wednesday earlier this summer, struck almost as stylishly minutes after coming on the park as a substitute, lashing a shot past Bartlomiej Dragowski from 20 yards. Rangers now have a commanding lead going into a tricky second game in Athens. It's one they would certainly have taken if offered before kick-off and they would have bitten your hand off for it at half time. Substitute Djeidi Gassama celebrates scoring Rangers' second goal against Panathinaikos at Ibrox. (Photo by) | Getty Images Mostly, the observation that it is hard to recognise a team is seen as a negative comment. In this new era at Rangers, however, distancing themselves as far as possible from recent sides was the goal. Martin certainly wishes to stamp his own identity on a team and it will take time. Contrary to James Tavernier's pre-match pledge about seeing a different Rangers, this team were at times all too familiar. Before Curtis' inspired intervention, they might have been two, possibly three, goals down. How could it be otherwise? Martin has not even been in the job 50 days yet. Although he is trying to be busy in the transfer market, only three new signings started here in his first competitive game. Rangers had to bear some of their old hallmarks, not all of which are negative. Jack Butland, for example, looked more like his old self. Although Curtis was rightly named man of the match, the Ibrox 'keeper, who lost both form and his place last season, was immense as he helped keep Rangers in the tie, with one save from Filip Durucic in the second half a particular standout. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Of course, the Rangers fans might still have to be patient. They will have to be forgiving. There was certainly a lot more passing the ball around at the back. This inevitably meant digging holes for themselves. They were fortunate the Greek visitors were unable to exploit them although they ought to have done so by the time the game was turned on its head in the space of seven or so second half minutes. Already processing going 1-0 down, the Greeks were then left on a damage-limitation exercise after Vagiannidis's red card. It was ironic that Rangers' opener stemmed from Butland mishandling a Duricic shot. The 'keeper quickly quelled alarm by retrieving the ball before rolling it out to Nico Raskin. The midfielder took a few strides into the visitors' half before transferring the ball to Curtis. The winger did the rest, coming inside before unleashing a curling shot into the corner past Dragowski. It changed everything. It certainly changed the mood in the stadium. At one point in the first half, Max Aarons had put his boot through the ball and then gestured to Martin, who was looking agitated at the touchline, as if to say, what more can I do? Rangers were on the rack in these early stages. Butland more than justified his return to the side. He was in the right place to beat away a point blank effort from Duricic just nine minutes in and then watched with relief as Pellistri hammered the ball against the post from equally close in, although the angle did provide the winger with some mitigation. Nemanja Maksimoviv headed over shortly afterwards. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Goalkeeper Jack Butland performed heroics for Rangers in the 2-0 victory over Panathinaikos at Ibrox. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group) | SNS Group The Obstacles Become Our Way – an old Stoic adage to do with overcoming adversity – were the chosen words of wisdom for the pre-match tifo, which depicted an epic scene involving a warrior, a lion and familiar Athens landmarks. While it was geographically relevant and certainly acceptable for the Ibrox censors after controversial recent efforts, another phrase might have been more appropriate: Rome wasn't built in a day. Athens in the second leg will still be hazardous, especially given the likely stifling heat. There were signs of what Martin is trying to do and signs those players brought in might be able to deliver his vision. Joe Rothwell was tidy at No. 6 and Aarons was, well, not much different to Ridvan Yilmaz at left back. Martin surprised by including Curtis in the starting XI at left wing. He could barely have believed how well this seeming gamble paid off. The teenager quickly caught the eye with some heroic tracking back early on.
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Rangers vs Panathinaikos LIVE SCORE as Greeks mount pressure on Russell Martin's men and Butland makes TWO huge saves
Igamane and Dessers are both in the squad EUR ON Rangers vs Panathinaikos LIVE SCORE as Greeks mount pressure on Russell Martin's men and Butland makes TWO huge saves IT's been a frantic start at Ibrox - and not in Rangers' favour. Rangers dominated possession in the early parts of the game but it's been Panathinaikos in the driving seat since. The Greeks hit the post and Jack Butland had to pull off two massive saves to ensure the game remains goalless. Follow SunSport's LIVE blog for all the latest updates from Govan. Rangers vs Panathinaikos kicks off at 7.45pm UK time. The game will take place at Ibrox. It will be shown live on Premier Sports 1. Coverage begins at 7.15pm – half an hour before kick off. BBC Sportsound will have radio commentary for the game. Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier, Aarons, Souttar, Rothwell, Diomande, Dowell, Djiga, Raskin, Curtis, Danilo Butland, Tavernier, Aarons, Souttar, Rothwell, Diomande, Dowell, Djiga, Raskin, Curtis, Danilo Rangers subs: Kelly, Cortes, Barron, Dessers, Bajrami, Cameron, Jefte, Gassama, Igamane, Fernandez, Rice, Gentles Kelly, Cortes, Barron, Dessers, Bajrami, Cameron, Jefte, Gassama, Igamane, Fernandez, Rice, Gentles Panathinaikos XI : Dragowski, Vagiannidis, Chirivella, Touba, Ioannidis, Bakasetas, Palmer-Brown, Maksimovic, Pellistri, Duricic, Kiriakopoulos : Dragowski, Vagiannidis, Chirivella, Touba, Ioannidis, Bakasetas, Palmer-Brown, Maksimovic, Pellistri, Duricic, Kiriakopoulos Panathinaikos subs: Lafont, Kotsaris, Siopis, Tete, Ingason, Cerin, Mancini, Swiderski, Jedvaj, Kotsiras, Jeremejeff, Bregou
STV News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- STV News
Rangers team news: Russell Martin names side to face Panathinaikos
Rangers head coach Russell Martin has named his side ahead of the Champions League second qualifying round first leg against Panathinaikos. The match is Rangers' first competitive game under new head coach Martin, and the first since the takeover by American investors at the beginning of the summer. While the new regime has a long-term plan to improve Rangers' fortunes in domestic competition and in Europe, reaching the League Phase of the Champions League would be a huge boost to the management as they put in place a new-look side and style, and would also deliver around £40m to help deliver improvements. To do that, the Ibrox club need to get past Panathinaikos, then defeat either Viktoria Plzen or Servette, and go on to win a play-off tie. Starting with a home leg win against the Greek side would be the ideal start to Martin's reign and he has included a number of summer signings in the starting XI. Jack Butland is in goal, with James Tavernier at right-back and John Souttar partnered by debutant Nasser Djiga in the centre of defence. Max Aarons makes his competitive debut on the left. In midfield, new signing Joe Rothwell starts, with Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande also in the heart of the side. Kieran Dowell and Findlay Curtis play in support of striker Danilo. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Rangers boss Russell Martin insists Panathinaikos game won't define season ahead of huge Champions League qualifier
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUSSELL MARTIN insists Rangers' crunch Champions League qualifier is NOT season-defining. Gers host Panathinaikos in Tuesday's first leg at Ibrox. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 4 Rangers boss Russell Martin Credit: PA 4 Nedim Bajrami, Hamza Igamane and Connor Barron during training Credit: PA 4 Rangers full-back James Tavernier in training Credit: PA But with Cyriel Dessers, Hamza Igamane and new signing Djiedi Gassama not fit for 90 minutes, Kieran Dowell, Finlay Curtis and Danilo all look likely to start. Martin admits the stakes are high, but stressed: 'It's not going to be a season-defining game, it's not. 'It's a really, really big game, but a season is a long season. 'It will be defined by what we do between now and May. It's a big game. Every game for Rangers is a big game. 'Every game is a must-win at Rangers. But it's not season-defining. 'The squad will look very different in four or five weeks, I'm convinced of that. 'But the team we have now, the squad we have now, we have to put in a performance that looks like us, feels like us and one that we can build off and ultimately win the game. Both Dessers and Igamane have been linked with moves this summer. The pair will be involved at some stage, with Martin full of praise for the man ready to step up. After last season's injury hell, Danilo is fully fit and firing again and last night the Gers gaffer insisted: 'They're not ready to start a game yet, they're not ready to play 90 minutes, but they're definitely ready to contribute. Rangers boss Russell Martin opens up on transfer plans as he delivers updates on Dessers and Igamane 'As is Gassama. Gass is not ready to play 90 minutes. 'But they all played 45 minutes on Saturday, which put them in a really good place and I like a lot what I've seen from all three of them. 'All very different but they're three players that excite us to chance to work with them and hopefully keep them here and excite them about being here. 'We will work with them and they can definitely help us, all three of them can add. 'We'll see them at some point over the two ties, how many minutes will be defined by how the game is going. 'But they're physically ready to help us, just not over 90 minutes yet. 'Danilo has been great, I really enjoy working with him. 'He doubles up as a translator, he speaks about five different languages. 'He's technically really good, he has scored a lot of nice goals in pre-season and links the game well. 'And what I love about him, he gives everything in every session, absolutely everything he has got. 'He wants to learn. 4 'He helps a lot with the other players as well, so he's been great and I hope he can take that forward from pre-season into the season.' There are concerns among the Rangers fans that a match of this magnitude is coming too soon. Should they progress, Gers would face either Viktoria Plzen or Servette in the third qualifying round. Should they exit, Martin's men would have to overcome either Besiktas or Shakhtar Donetsk to reach the Europa League play-offs. The Gers boss said: 'We'll find out tomorrow if we're ready. 'In terms of preparation, work, physically, tactically, the connection between the way we work, the players, us, I've been so pleased over the four weeks, but it's not a long time. 'Tomorrow's going to be a really big test for us to see how far along we are and see how much work we have to do. 'I think that's the most interesting thing for us as a coaching staff, is that tomorrow we will learn a lot about the group, we will learn a lot about how we need to prioritise moving forward over the next few weeks." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
