Rangers begin their quest to return to Europe’s elite when they welcome Panathinaikos to Ibrox next week in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round. The tie, to be played on Tuesday night, will mark Russell Martin’s first competitive match as Rangers head coach, with the return leg a week later in Athens.
Rangers enter this campaign eager to put last season’s frustrations behind them, having finished second in the Scottish Premiership and a considerable margin behind rivals Celtic. Martin has inherited a squad with much to prove and will be keen to establish early momentum, particularly in front of the raucous Ibrox crowd. Rangers have not reached the Champions League proper since 2022–23, when a difficult group stage underlined the step up in quality at Europe’s top level.
Panathinaikos, for their part, finished third in the Greek Super League last season and come into the tie well organised, with a recent pedigree in European competition, reaching the last 16 of the Conference League last term. The Greek side have historically fared well against Scottish opposition and will aim to remain disciplined in Glasgow ahead of a potentially decisive return leg in Athens.
Both clubs know that victory would bring not just progress to the next qualifying stage, but also a near-guarantee of group stage football of some form next season. While Rangers will look to take advantage at home, Panathinaikos will likely look to contain the home crowd and keep the game slow and controlled.
Rangers' recent showings at Ibrox in Europe have been hit and miss, with the Glaswegians winning only two of their last seven home games in Europe (alongside two draws and three defeats). Panathinaikos pose a stiff challenge to Rangers and although there'll be a buoyant mood in Martin's first game, we think they'll fall short of claiming the first leg lead they need.
Rangers 1-1 Panthinaikos
