Rangers “will grow so much” from overcoming a hugely challenging second leg against Panathinaikos to seal Champions League qualifying progression, says head coach Russell Martin.
Seconds after Filip Duricic reduced the Scottish side’s first-leg advantage to a single goal with a cushioned header, awarded after a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) check, Djeidi Gassama was thrown on to try and turn the game.
And, just as he did in the home tie, the winger made an instant impact by netting with a sublime strike to ease intense pressure from the Greek hosts in sweltering heat in Athens.
Martin’s men are now guaranteed Europa League football and will face Viktoria Plzen of the Czech Republic in a third round Champions League qualifier.
“I’ve just said to the players in the dressing room, I’m so proud of them,” the Rangers boss told Media Scotland.
“To be five weeks into the process, from where they were to where they are is incredible.
“It’s never easy away from home. A really difficult place to come. They really dug in and that’s going to be important for us.
“We will get better. The group will grow so much from this.”
Much like the first half of the Ibrox tie, a vulnerable-looking Rangers team massively rode their luck in a hostile environment as the home side passed up chance after chance.
Anastasios Bakasetas’ early near miss from a shot from the edge of the box started a period of relentless Panathinaikos pressure.
A near-post save from an inspired Jack Butland then denied Fotis Ioannidis, who also had a close-range bullet header saved brilliantly by the rejuvenated Rangers goalkeeper.
Another fine stop from Butland thwarted Facundo Pellistri before the ex-Manchester United winger somehow sliced over from close range after Rangers played themselves into trouble.
If Martin’s men were four down at the break, they would have had little to argue about. Andy Halliday said on BBC Sportscene it was a “minor miracle” his former side had not conceded in the first period.
That theme continued into the second half as Panathinaikos finally found the goal their attacking play merited, with a cross catching out the Rangers defence before Duricic nodded in.
The flag was raised, but replays showed the Serbian forward had been played onside by Nasser Djiga and Max Aarons.
Rangers fans would have been fearing the worst at that point, but summer signing Gassama’s excellent finish on the volley ultimately sealed a potentially massive result so early in Martin’s tenure.
Remarkably, the away side could have won the second leg when substitute Cyriel Dessers raced clear in stoppage time, but the striker failed to beat home goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski.
What was the main talking point?
Nobody will remember Rangers’ vulnerability across this tie if they progress to the Champions League and pocket the lucrative financial package that comes with it.
Too often they passed up possession in dangerous positions, giving up multiple clear-cut chances.
Over the two legs, Rangers faced 34 shots. Against better opposition, their Champions League hopes could be over.
The Ibrox club’s league campaign starts with an opener at Motherwell on Saturday and there is a trip to St Mirren and an Old Firm derby to come before August ends.
Factor in the additional Champions League qualifiers and it looks a tricky early schedule for Martin. But his side have overcome their first test.
