Rangers Hold Firm in Athens to Advance in Champions League Quest
If you caught any of the action from the Champions League qualifiers this week, you probably heard about the intense showdown between Rangers and Panathinaikos. It was a dramatic and testing night in Athens, where Rangers managed to secure a 1-1 draw—just enough to see them progress to the third qualifying round, thanks to their 3-1 aggregate lead from the first leg.
This was no easy task. The Greek side, playing on their home turf in the sweltering heat, put up a serious fight. The match demanded a gritty, determined performance, and that’s exactly what Rangers delivered. Despite the challenges—hostile crowd, soaring temperatures, and a motivated opponent—Rangers showed resilience and composure.
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Max Aarons, who only joined the team this summer, described the experience as a real European test for the squad. He acknowledged how tough it was playing in Athens and emphasized how important it was for the group to come through such an early challenge in the season. According to him, these are the types of matches that not only test your physical endurance but also your ability to trust your teammates and dig deep when the pressure is on.
And dig deep they did. Across the two legs, Djeidi Gassama was the standout, scoring twice, with young Findlay Curtis also adding a crucial goal back at Ibrox in the first leg. Their contributions were vital, and Aarons was quick to praise both of them, especially given the scale of the occasion. He made it clear—these nights build character, and that character will carry over into the league campaign.
With that 1-1 result in Athens, Rangers now move forward to face Czech side Viktoria Plzen. The first leg will be held at Ibrox on August 5th, followed by the away leg a week later. It’s another big step toward their ultimate goal: reaching the Champions League group stage.
All in all, this tie with Panathinaikos was a real marker. Rangers not only survived a hostile European environment—they grew from it. The team showed they can grind out results, even under pressure, and that bodes well for the season ahead. Whether you're a diehard fan or just keeping an eye on their progress, it's safe to say Rangers passed their first major European test of the season with grit and maturity.
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