Grit, Glory, and Gassama: Rangers Hold Strong in Athens
So, picture this — it’s a scorching evening in Athens, and Rangers are stepping into the lion’s den for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos. Everyone knew this was going to be a tough one. The Greeks are no pushovers, and their home support was loud, passionate, and expecting a comeback after losing the first leg 2-0 at Ibrox. But Rangers, under new boss Russell Martin, came prepared — vulnerable at times, yes, but impressively resilient.
The match started off rough for Rangers. The pressure was relentless from the Greek side, and if it weren’t for Jack Butland — who was absolutely phenomenal once again — this could’ve gone south real quick. He made a series of saves that genuinely kept Rangers alive, including denying a one-on-one and stopping headers from close range. You could almost feel the nerves from Glasgow to Athens as Panathinaikos kept knocking.
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Eventually, the home team did get their breakthrough. Filip Djuricic headed one in just after the break, and though the flag initially went up for offside, VAR corrected it — goal given. That made it 2-1 on aggregate, and the mood instantly shifted. Panathinaikos smelled blood, the crowd erupted, and Rangers looked shaken. For a moment, it felt like the floodgates might open.
But then, enter Djeidi Gassama. Just minutes after stepping onto the pitch, he latched onto a rare Rangers attack and rifled a shot in off the post. It was an absolutely electric moment. Not only did it restore the two-goal cushion, but it completely deflated the home side’s momentum. That goal — his second stunner in two games — might’ve been the most important of his young Rangers career so far.
From there, it was about survival. And while Rangers didn’t dominate, they held on. Players like John Souttar were immense at the back, throwing their bodies in front of everything. Sure, the team still looked sloppy in possession at times — something that’ll need fixing — but the mental toughness on display was undeniable.
After the final whistle, you could see what it meant. Russell Martin was full of pride, not just for the result but for the togetherness the squad showed. He knows this team is still growing, still figuring things out under his leadership. But nights like this — gritty, nerve-wracking, and ultimately triumphant — are how character is built.
Now they move on to face Viktoria Plzen in the next round, and yes, it’s another tough challenge. But Rangers have already shown they can dig deep when it matters. They’ve secured at least Europa League football for the season, and more importantly, they’ve laid a foundation of belief. For the fans, for the players, and for Martin himself — this might just be the start of something promising.
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