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00:00Thank you very much Emma. A new dawn at Ibrox Stadium, Rangers bolstered by
00:06fresh investment from across the Atlantic, new owners, a new man in the
00:10dugout, a squad overhaul and with all of that comes new hope and belief. The
00:16Russell Martin era begins tonight and it's a real baptism of fire thrown
00:22straight into UEFA Champions League third round qualifier against well
00:26established opposition in Panathinaikos. Likely it's the draw that
00:34neither side would have wanted. Next week they will face the heat of
00:39Athens but for now into the Ibrox cauldron, packed out, expectant and
00:46with plenty of intrigue on how this Rangers team will look to set the
00:52tone for a new beginning. It's 66 days since last season came to a
00:58trophyless end and it's all change at Rangers but one constant over recent
01:03years has been their participation in Europe and non-negotiable to go
01:08along with the need for a domestic overhaul. The riches of the Champions
01:15League is the dream. That would certainly help facilitate so much of
01:20what the 49ers enterprises want to do with this club but also
01:24re-establish Rangers name and reputation amongst the elite on the
01:28continent.
01:34Russell Martin's first selection sees full debut is given out to three of
01:38the seven brand new signings. Lonise Nassotiga and Max Ahrens both to the
01:42defence while midfield recruit from Bournemouth Joe Rothwell plays
01:46alongside Mohamed Diamande and Nico Raskan. 18 year old Finlay Curtis starts
01:51just his second game for the club while Kieran Dowell makes his first
01:55European start with Cyril Dessers and Hamza Iggemann not fit enough to
01:59start. Danilo leads the line.
02:01Rui Vittoria is without Filip Ladenevich who is suspended after being sent off
02:10against Fiorentina last season.
02:12Ahmed Touba has been signed from Istanbul. Bishachi here while former Liverpool
02:17midfielder Pedro Chirubea has arrived from Nantes.
02:21Giorgios Kyriakhiopoulos was previously at Monza in Italy.
02:26Giorgios Kyriakhiopoulos played for Greece against Scotland in March.
02:43Russell Martin knows what it is to be an Ibrox as a Rangers player.
02:48Now he faces the pressure of being the boss.
02:56The referee is Jonatos Grunshas from Lithuania.
03:04Panathinaikos arriving in Glasgow having suffered a similar fate as Rangers last
03:10season. A manager fired a big gap to domestic rivals.
03:14The difference being though that Rui Vittoria has had eight months to work with these players.
03:20Russell Martin straight in just over 40 days since he came through the door.
03:28James Tavenier remains the captain.
03:30Jack Butland is back as number one.
03:32Pre-season may not have been as smooth as they would have liked but Ibrox Stadium is sold out.
03:40The Rangers support expect and the moment Russell Martin has been waiting for is at last underway.
03:48And now the intrigue really begins into what this Rangers side will offer.
03:56what the differences will be from what we've seen over the last few years.
04:04That's an early pressure touch on Dragovski, the Panathinaikos goalkeeper.
04:10The former Rangers player and first team coach assistant manager last year.
04:19What have you later?
04:20What have you later?
04:21Alongside me Neil.
04:23I mean this is a huge game to be thrown into as the first one isn't it?
04:27Yes Marcel when you touched on the preparation I think Russell was a victim of the late appointment.
04:32He might have chosen a few harder games to come into this one because so much riding on it.
04:37He might not be a defining series for his tenure here at Rangers but it's a massive game nonetheless.
04:43I'm really intrigued to see how this team operate.
04:46You can see in the early stages that they're going to be possession based.
04:49That's for sure with the ball and they're going to be high pressing out of it.
04:52But how that midfield three operate with Raskin, Diamande and particularly Joe Rothwell, he's at the base.
04:58So it's clear that his experience to play in front of the back four is going to be vital tonight.
05:03So it's James Tavernier and Nassar Juga just managing to get things sorted out between them.
05:11There is Joe Rothwell arriving for around about half a million pounds from Bournemouth.
05:16I wonder from a manager's point of view, Russell Martin never played in a European game in his career, hasn't managed in Europe.
05:31Just wonder how that will affect him.
05:34Here goes Niko Raskin looks to bend that one with the inside of his boot.
05:39First effort on goal from the Belgian midfielder.
05:42Well, that's the reason why I think he's much better suited.
05:45I know he can play six and he does for Belgium really well but I think he's better suited, Niko, in that advance role.
05:51Like a number eight just so he can hit the box.
05:53I loved that he was disciplined there and kicked his position.
05:56It was something that we were always on at him about because he lost discipline a little bit at times
06:00because he wanted to fall into six and dictate the play.
06:03But he held his position there and that's the first half opportunity for Rangers.
06:07Russell Martin, I could see he was applauding Niko Raskin's positioning.
06:11Is he the prized asset in this squad?
06:13You would say yes, Diamande is obviously a very salable asset as well.
06:16You've got Eagerman there which already suitors are circling so...
06:20But Raskin has got so much to offer.
06:26Great touches from Rangers, Tavernier's ball in just evades Raskin though.
06:31Raskin won't be able to catch that, the 23-year-old Greek international
06:38who has been heavily linked with a number of clubs around Europe this summer.
06:43Rui Vitoria, appointed in October after Diego Alonso's spell lasted just a matter of months.
06:51The Portuguese boss, very experienced, won seven titles with Benfica.
06:57Also took charge of Al Nasser.
07:03Former Egypt national team boss, so very experienced.
07:07Came into the club when they were sitting eighth in the Greek Super League.
07:13Finished up a distant second behind Olympiakos,
07:17who of course Rangers know well from last season and a visit to Athens.
07:21They'll be back there next week.
07:24You can see they're settled down to a really defensive unit, all players behind the ball.
07:29You can understand that.
07:31They're hoping to try and stifle Rangers.
07:33This new management team, this new squad, this new feeling about the crowd.
07:38They're going to try and just sit in and frustrate,
07:40try and take something back to Athens that they can capitalise on.
07:43And that's where Rangers need to show something, I think, under Russell Martin,
07:47that they can break teams down.
07:49That's something he's going to have to face domestically.
07:51And I think he's going to have to prove that tonight,
07:53if they're going to break the stubborn Panthenaikos side down.
08:02Interesting, both full backs, Rory, look how narrow they are.
08:04I'm looking at Aaron's coming in, really narrow, and Tavenier.
08:07He's generally used to seeing it, Tavenier showing what none so far.
08:12Well, Danilo got turned really well there.
08:15He was hauled back by Eric Palmer-Brown.
08:18Now, Finlay-Curtis, first chance to run at Vagianides,
08:21and fouled by the 18-year-old.
08:24I think he's a really intriguing inclusion in the starting line-up, isn't he?
08:28He started up at Pataudry towards the end of last season.
08:31Yeah, he played wing-back that day.
08:33I mean, this kid has got an attitude to die for.
08:35It's one of his biggest assets.
08:37He's not lightning quick, but he's deceptively quick.
08:40He's powerful, he's strong, can play right, can play left, can play ten,
08:43but his attitude separates him from a lot of kids coming through at Rangers.
08:47And I think that's why he's in the team tonight,
08:49because Asimov has been just not quite ready yet.
08:56Seems to be the case with a few of the Rangers players.
09:00They did lose until Asghar, the £5 million signing from Luton Town
09:05to injury in one of those recent Boust games.
09:10But also, Jerry Kasama.
09:15The team's not ready to start this game after an interrupted pre-season
09:21with his previous club, Sheffield Wednesday.
09:24So too Hamza Eggemann and Cyril Dessers on the bench,
09:29not ready to go for the full 90 minutes.
09:31Here's Curtis, the ball inside for Raskan.
09:36It's a good position from Niko Raskan again, holding that left midfield,
09:42so it's separating the midfielders, creating a little bit of space into Danilo.
09:46Suter for Max Ahrens.
09:50Curtis, Suter looks to fizz that towards Raskan, Rothwell.
09:55Danilo back to Diamande.
09:58Yeah, that pass from Rothwell was for Kieran Dowell, you know.
10:09The Rangers getting the ball back in quickly.
10:13This might be an interesting one for Panathinaikos there,
10:16a team who, under Rui Vittoria, do like to dominate possession.
10:22Dictate the tempo.
10:24Look at the two full-backs, Rory.
10:25Both of them inside the centre circle.
10:27Midfielders are just trying to develop out wide,
10:30and the two wing boys are staying really wide.
10:38Raskan just giving it away, trying to win it back,
10:40but that's a strong run from Pellistri.
10:43Yellow cards in the opening minutes for Niko Raskan.
10:50A really good run from Pellistri,
10:51takes a beautiful touch and just totally eliminates Ahrens by cutting inside.
10:56Raskan is getting pulled away all the time and just tugs the jersey.
10:59No question, it's a yellow card.
11:01But it's a little area of the pitch, I think, already.
11:04I mentioned about the full-backs coming narrow.
11:06If Panathinaikos play the game cards right
11:09and the hit and the counter-attack in those wide areas,
11:11it's a little bit of vulnerability for the Rangers.
11:23Tassos back to Setas.
11:25Tassosca is Bugger attack,
11:29and AD-ion,
11:31the captain with the national team.
11:36Raskanas, Awka,
11:37the captain with the national team.
11:41Raskanas,
11:42the captain with the national team.
11:44Wins the first header.
11:49Kiriakopoulos sends that in, what a chance, oh it had to be, first of all it's a great save
11:55from Butland but then Pellistri at the back post
12:01with a golden opportunity to open the scoring for Panathinaikos.
12:07I think it's Juricic, I think it's him it's got to score. I was watching the white boys putting
12:12balls into the box in the warm-up and it looked dangerous, this one's missed at the front post,
12:17it's actually left by Ziga, it's a terrific save by Jack Butland but that should be on the back of
12:22the net, that's a real warning sign for Rangers. Rangers survive a major scare, Ahrens now caught by Bakasetas
12:35will be Bakasetas to take once more, clip to the back post James Tavernier rise as well,
12:49Vagianidis to the byline and steered over the top by Maximovic.
12:57Yeah, Maximovic, it's not a bad effort, it's probably just behind them but again it's
13:04it's the intention to get wide, he just burns Danilo on the outside, it's a lovely little stand-up,
13:10spoke about the warm-up they were trying to hit those little clips, the Rangers are bringing trouble
13:15upon themselves to Rivea, once considered to be the next Xabi Alonso at Anfield, didn't quite work out
13:31despite seven years at Liverpool, was given his debut by Brendan Rodgers, big boots to follow with that Rory.
13:39Vagianidis now coming under a bit of pressure, having to go back to the schoolkeeper Drakowski.
13:55Vagianidis with that little clip ball, there they go again, breaking lines.
13:58Vagianidis, Giga coming across to hold him up, Vagianidis, Chirivea, Vagianidis,
14:11Tannath and Icos after Rangers dominated the early exchanges are certainly now finding their rhythm.
14:21Kiriakopoulos, that ball forward which John Suter comes across but they do like
14:28to swarm and they've done just that, Yonidas misses it but Pellistri and coming back was
14:39Finlay Curtis with a vital challenge, both players remain down. So important, Pellistri's just about
14:46to pull the trigger you know and I think Finlay Curtis gets in front and steals it, he had to do his
14:51defensive duties, it's something he won't shirk but that was very important. Aarons has got to be aware
14:57there, Finlay Curtis is back on his feet, he's knocked out of play and he's in a very comfortable position.
15:02Finlay Curtis was already back
15:06up on his feet, looks okay. A big shout, it's close as well isn't it?
15:15You gotta make sure with those ones don't you? Yeah you have to be absolutely certain but you
15:19could see the desperation in Finlay Curtis, he had to throw himself right into that.
15:27Look they're really strong down the right side, all the reports, Pellistri and Pellistri and
15:35Pellistri, she's working that right channel, all the reports I got was that they were very strong
15:39in that side in particular but they were prepared to take runs, break lines and already we've seen
15:45proof, what are we now, what, 13 minutes into the game and already broken through Rangers three or four times.
15:50Tana and Icos have had a bit more of a structured pre-season, five games in all, Metlis Kharkiv,
15:57Norseland, Schalke, Braga and most recently Westerloo to go along with the double sessions of high
16:08intensity to get the fitness of these players in tip-top shape for this very game.
16:23They don't start their league season until 23rd of August, it's all about the Champions League
16:29qualifiers for now is Pellistri, goes down. Not for me, he might have been a better contact but he
16:36throws himself to the floor for me.
16:40There weren't too many convincing appeals towards the officials I must say.
16:44I don't think he was convinced himself but he threw himself down there anyway Rory.
16:47It's the Uruguayan that many Manchester United fans may well remember, 25 appearances after
16:59arriving from Penerol five years ago.
17:07I think you're looking there about Aarons' right-hand side, I would love to see John
17:11Souther just open it up and wrap it up Antifinley Curtis, then Nico Raskin can go in the gap behind
17:15because the right centre-back is not coming across.
17:25As a winger yourself, would you like being given that extra space by your full-back?
17:31Oh absolutely, yeah, absolutely. All I wanted was a ball to my feet because I fancied myself in a race
17:37Rory after a full-back stepped off, had brilliant strikers, one in the studio with us tonight and
17:42a few more in the stands here that I could just put the ball in if the centre-back or a full-back stepped off.
17:50It's Diamande, out from Ahmed Touba.
17:53Jornidis and Juricic combining down that left-hand side.
18:05You know, this is the other one, Polistri going down, he just takes a touch, takes it on there,
18:10no, not enough, and again it's Finlay Curtis working back, both players coming together.
18:14Already in the match you can see Russell has a clear plan of playing, particularly those full-backs,
18:26midfielders trying to hold positions in midfield areas, and the wide players, Kieran Dowell,
18:31who we know is not a wide player, it's an interesting selection tonight with Bayrami sitting on the bench
18:34as well, but the wide players are encouraged to try and stay wide now. If they're staying wide,
18:39surely you're wanting the ball pumped into them, so it's 1v1, but I think Panath and Icos have already
18:45shown that they're patient and they're an explosive.
18:51Jornidis floats that over the top and out of play, of course the draw wasn't made for the third round
18:58yesterday, the winners of this tie will play Servette or Victoria Pilsen, I can tell you that
19:05uh, full-time in the first leg, uh was won, it's one, it's one to stay wide, it's one to stay wide,
19:23what we can do, it's one to stay wide but uh, it's one to be wide, it's one to be wide, so it's one,
19:25it's one to stay wide, so I guess it's not gonna be a wide, but it's not bad, it's one to stay wide,
19:26Victoria Pilsen, I can tell you that full-time in the first leg was one...
19:38It's a few times Rangers have been robbed in possession.
19:44Palmer Brown out to Vagianidis, forward from Tiruvaya.
19:51Pilsen, he's been lively in this opening 17 minutes.
19:58Yeah, he's been good, real threat, likes the physical contact as well, he's quite strong actually.
20:05Wasn't sure what we were going to get from him, I know he's got a bit of a reputation but certainly enjoys the physical battle, gets his strong arms out, protects his space.
20:21They did lose their player of the season last year and Azzedine Unahi went back to Marseille from his loan but they're desperate to get him back for this season, that's so much of their creativity comes from him.
20:39Settas targets that near post, Raskin, under some pretty severe pressure, shot comes in from Palmer Brown.
20:49Blocked on the line, Rangers survive again.
20:55Rory, what a stop this is because it's coming through a rock of bodies, Rangers don't deal with it, it's sort of got trapped under Niko Raskin's feet.
21:05And when it helped out, I think it's Palmer Brown just catches it flush by the way as well.
21:10I think it's John Suter trying to throw his big body in front of it but it's Jack Buckland that makes the top save.
21:15Jurekic turns, gets the cross in as well.
21:22Greg Unidis, up again.
21:25Jurekic turns, gets the cross in as well.
21:30Jurekic turns, gets the cross in as well.
21:35Greg Unidis, up again.
21:40It's Curtis.
21:45Raskin helps the youngster out now, Ahrens.
21:55Ahrens a little bit more orthodox there in a wider position, it gives John Suter something to hit and try and open the midfield area.
22:01But on the other side, Tavernier was coming right in, so it's something that's clearly going to stick to Rory.
22:07I just feel that Ahrens looks least uncomfortable out of the two full backs.
22:17Raskin.
22:19Bounce comes back to the Belgian.
22:21Raskin.
22:27Rothwell back for Jiga.
22:34Suter.
22:36Wange Unidis, not turned well.
22:39Proving pass from the centre back, now Rothwell.
22:42Space for Raskin.
22:46Danilo initially peels away then comes short.
22:49Curtis to Rothwell.
22:53Curtis again, encouraged by the crowd.
22:56Get that one in off the right foot.
23:00Tavernier, Danilo with a bit of space and then lays it back straight to Bakusetas.
23:07He's throwing it back, he's looking for a little giving go, a little one-two, Danilo.
23:12The applause not just from the crowd but from the Rangers dugout.
23:20Now Curtis helping that one round the corner, not quite into the path of Mohamed Diomondi.
23:26Yeah, Diomondi.
23:28Yeah, Diomondi is a terrific player and we really liked him in that ten position because at times he's run really well into the box.
23:38But I would like to see Danilo being ball-side there.
23:41He's too far away from the centre of the penalty box.
23:44He's got to be careful.
23:45You need us carries well then goes for the return from Bakusetas down he goes.
23:55That's a dive, that's a yellow card.
23:57Simulation called by the Lithuanian referee and Georges Vagianidis will be yellow carded.
24:04Very good referee and there's a clear dive, he didn't have to do it, it's a brilliant run from Vagianidis.
24:12A brilliant run I have to say, he's a real, real quality operator on this right side.
24:17And when he continues his run, he takes a little touch here, Aaron does well to cut back in.
24:24And it's a clear and blatant dive.
24:27John Suter just puts the brakes on, good decision by the referee.
24:34Roma, Everton, Fulham, Wolves are the clubs all being linked with the Greek right back.
24:41They recently negotiated to buy out the 37% sell-on from Inter Milan for around about 2 million euros.
24:51Which I think might be a shrewd bit of business from Panathinaikos given the clubs that are being linked with him in this window.
24:57Yeah absolutely, all the reports leading into this game when I was checking up on him were that he was a little bit cut above the rest.
25:06Curtis gets a bit of a break there as that drops for Danilo.
25:09Rothwell, the drive from midfield.
25:15But it is halted by Chirivea.
25:18Danilo wins it back.
25:21Better from Joe Rothwell, just a little bit more commitment to his driving run there.
25:26I felt he was maybe just clipped, just pulled back over slightly.
25:30He's been able to do this lately.
25:32Tavenir does well, finds Stiomondi.
25:35Goes for the return to his skipper.
25:38He's going to come back the Rangers with Filip Juricic.
25:42Serbian looks outside for Kiriakopoulos.
25:53Suter, back is set to Suter.
25:56Body on the line as we've seen so often from John Suter, makes a vital block.
26:01Yeah it's become a trademark, hasn't it, from big John Suter.
26:03As brave as they come.
26:06But again, worrying signs in these wide areas, full backs narrow.
26:11Sneaks its way out and when the shot struck, then big John Suter had just thrown himself completely at that.
26:26There will be concerns for Russell Martin in the way that Rangers have started this one.
26:31He's outside Mac Gill as assistant manager.
26:36Mike Williamson coming in as first team coach.
26:38Some people taking over the goalkeeping department.
26:48They just turn the gas off.
26:49Nor even when they're out of possession, they just turn the gas off and they go to a 4-3-3.
26:56They don't need to press high.
26:57Rangers give them the ball that cheaply as Danilo did there.
27:01Straight to Pelistri, who's on it again here.
27:06Kyriakopoulos and a bit of a tangle with Diamande.
27:07Kyriakopoulos and a bit of a tangle with Diamande.
27:09Kyriakopoulos and a bit of a tangle with Diamande.
27:19Yeah, he can handle himself Diamande, but Kyriakopoulos has shown already that he's got a bit of bite in his challenge, but I tell you what, he's decent going forward as well, that left footer has.
27:33Raskam back from Finlay.
27:45Raskam back from Finlay.
27:53Kieran Dowell.
27:56The mother has made his way back into the...
28:05Rangers starting line-up after his loan at Birmingham City.
28:09Last season, the first European start for the Englishman,
28:12that fizzed into Finlay Curtis.
28:16Yeah, it was one hop and straight into Finlay,
28:20but he's better than that, he's very two-footed,
28:24he's got to take a nicer touch, under pressure, you have to say it.
28:41Aaron's the one to collect from Jack Butland.
28:48You can see that Raskin and Diamandia really try to stretch that whole midfield area
28:52and give space into Danilo.
28:56But when Raskin and Diamandia's getting it wide,
28:58I mean, it's not probably where you want him,
29:00but it's certainly a style player that Russell's worked on,
29:04you can see that in this match.
29:07Raskin was wanting that ball over the top from Max Ahrens.
29:11Maksimovic is picking up Diamandia all the time, he's clearly been marked as a danger man.
29:22He's a vertically man marking him, sitting right on him.
29:25Raskin will be caught here.
29:27Oh, what a touch.
29:28Well, that's going to be a yellow card for John Suter as he takes out Facundo Polistri.
29:33That's as blatant as they come from the Scotland international.
29:37Yeah, he knew he was done here, watch his second touch though from Polistri,
29:40it is absolutely outstanding.
29:42First touch, bang, second, there, eliminates John Suter.
29:46That's now two of the back four.
29:51It's not as Raskin, sorry, it wasn't here as John Suter is in trouble
29:54because Polistri all game has shown that he's not the only player that just hits the turbo button.
30:02Rangers are really, really vulnerable at the moment.
30:05Chirabea winning that one from Danilo.
30:23Rothwell.
30:24Well, it was Dowell actually, did well initially, but Bacassetas wins it back.
30:30Janidis, well, Vagianidis was wanting it out to the right-hand side, he made a good dart.
30:46Maksimovic.
30:48Serbian now looks for Vagianidis, Finlay-Curtis gets an excellent first touch and second.
30:55It's a really intriguing battle between those two.
30:58Yeah, Finlay-Curtis did really well there, but Bacassetas did really well there, but Bacassetas is sure he's got a ton of pace as well to get back.
31:13Maksimovic.
31:14Maksimovic.
31:15Maksimovic.
31:16Maksimovic.
31:17Maksimovic.
31:18Maksimovic.
31:19Maksimovic.
31:20Maksimovic.
31:21Maksimovic.
31:22Maksimovic.
31:23Maksimovic.
31:24Maksimovic.
31:25Maksimovic.
31:26Maksimovic.
31:27Maksimovic.
31:28Maksimovic.
31:29Maksimovic.
31:30Maksimovic.
31:31Maksimovic.
31:32to come across. Looked like he played it off the full-back.
31:37Find out now.
31:40Yeah, I think it probably is a corner.
31:42We've got a Jocelyn, Rangers are going to mix, they've got three zonal,
32:05Tavenier, Suter and Xiega just separating that six-yard box and then they'll get four picking
32:10up with Raskin front post area, so it's a little split of man-marking and zonal.
32:17I can set ass right on top of, well, about two yards out, three yards out maybe when
32:23John Suter got the first contact on that. What a header, two butters right behind him.
32:37It's dropping straight onto the big man's head as well.
32:41So important, John Suter, first contact.
32:59The Rangers have been feeling the early pressure.
33:02You know, they've shown full respect, Danilo back in the box as well, everybody back.
33:08All hands to the pump.
33:13Bakasetas once more, an outswinger this time and it just missed.
33:19Yeah, Anidis, then Vangie Anidis fires that well over, claiming that there was a touch-off Danilo.
33:26Well, it moved funny, but I wasn't sure if it was a clip or not.
33:29What's he going for?
33:30What's he going for?
33:30Wow.
33:30Graskin.
33:31What's he going for?
33:33Raskin.
33:52Tavernier.
34:01Suter.
34:03Danilo offers, tight on him was Palmer Brown, but now Ahrens.
34:09Curtis.
34:15Raskin for Giga, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
34:28Suter.
34:30Curtis frees up the space for Raskin, looks for the return, was read all the way by Chirivert.
34:38And now, with space down the right-hand side, Pellistri, Juricic making up the space in the middle.
34:46Juricic now, and Tavernier got himself into an excellent position, never panicked.
34:53Yeah, he did great, tucking in his initial positions inside, so it helps.
34:58But Pellistri was touch and go.
35:01Giga maybe just plays him on side, I'm not sure whether it was time to perfection or not,
35:05but had he got the ball into the box a little bit earlier for Ioannidis,
35:09then I'm not sure if Tavernier would have recovered in time.
35:16Look, I'm sure Billy will talk about this at half-time,
35:18but you know, Raskin has been encouraged to come into the full-back area
35:21where you'd expect Aarons to be.
35:24And I would like to see him probably where the referee is right now,
35:27in that little spot where he started the game,
35:29because it's where he's good, he takes it well, he can link the game,
35:32he can go in behind, he can get in crosses,
35:34he's not gonna do it from the full-back position.
35:36in the full-back position.
35:52Souter, Aarons, Giga for Rockwell looking for options.
36:06Tavenier, Souter for Raskin.
36:14Curtis made a lovely little run on the outside,
36:16loaded the ball, shoved inside Vagenesis.
36:28Tavenier will drop for Curtis, takes it on the chest,
36:32surrounded by two coming across, Chirivea,
36:35helping out his right-back, who has it now, Vagenidis.
36:43Cheap free kick given away by Raskin.
36:45Tavenier is superb there, his identification that that ball was gonna get to Curtis
36:50to provide a 1v1 opposition to the full-back, but he snuffed it out.
36:55Well, a few of the legends have been in this week.
36:59Richard Goff sitting alongside Sir Alex Ferguson, wishing their best to the new manager and Russell Martin.
37:08Tavenier is superb.
37:18Coming up on Premier Sports, there's of course the Premier Sports Cup half-midlow there against Dumbarton.
37:22That's tomorrow night from 7.40 on the Premier Sports player.
37:25And on Sunday to conclude the group stages, Samirran against Air United from 2.45 on Premier Sports 1.
37:32And the second round draw will be from 4.45 on Sunday, continuing on from the conclusion in Paisley.
37:40And of course Rangers enter the draw at that stage for the last 16.
37:46I think when you're looking at this 35 minutes into the game, Danilo I think has maybe touched it twice,
38:05maybe twice that I can remember, which is a real disappointment.
38:09He's a player that has impressed the manager in pre-season, got amongst the goals, but for his work rate, his attitude and training.
38:25He says he's also been a handy translator as he speaks about five different languages, very helpful in a multinational squad.
38:34His goal is the same in five languages, Rory.
38:41I think that's what he's hoping for, because he just wants some service tonight.
38:46He's got it now on the edge of the area, looks to turn, Palmer Brown lays it back for Diomondi.
38:51And Drogowski called into action really for the first time by Mohamed Diomondi.
38:57Yeah, I think it's a straightforward save, one you expect the goalkeeper to make.
39:03But again, speaking about the lack of touches, that's what they're doing, trying to separate the midfield.
39:07Raskin makes a lovely little run across the face and opens that space, and Danilo just cushions it back.
39:13I mean, I don't think it's gonna trouble the goalkeeper, but Diomondi on that left side, he's comfortable on both, but stronger on the left.
39:20The first real opportunity for Rangers.
39:23The first real opportunity for Rangers.
39:27Joe Rockwell.
39:32Joe Rockwell.
39:36He's got a corner kick in front of those visiting supporters.
39:43Kieran Dowell.
39:46Tavernier just slips, gets a second chance at it.
39:49Oh, what a volley that is from Danilo, and it's deflected out.
39:54Oh, that one looked like it was gonna burst the back of the net.
39:58Maksimovic, I think it is, it gets a block, I can't really tell if it is him or not, but Danilo catches this as sweet as you like.
40:07Tavernier slips, but you know he's still gonna produce quality, a little stand up.
40:11And when it drops to him, he catches it, it's flushy like my left.
40:14I mean, Maksimovic, I don't know if his hands are right and against his body, whether it's struck an arm,
40:21but he's never gonna be given a penalty because they're right against the body.
40:25Rangers' best moment.
40:29Dowell takes it now for Tavernier, Suter goes for it, more appeals come from the Rangers' support,
40:35but they'll need to be careful.
40:37Panathinaikos look to go on the break here, Vagianides.
40:46In the field to Vakacetas.
40:48Sorry, I was just about to say, I'd like to see that again.
40:51Coriakopoulos, Pelistri at the back post, and that was played by Ahrens off the Uruguayan.
41:00He does well, the full-back, this is John Suter, I think it is, flying flat out there.
41:06Nah, I think it comes off the body.
41:08Yeah, two butters, just like John Suter, ten minutes ago on his own blocks, he's flat out just putting every inch of that body in the line.
41:21Look better, these last few minutes from Rangers, they've given Panathinaikos defence something to think about.
41:30Curtis.
41:34Yeah, it's been a better five minutes, but where does it come from, Rory?
41:36It's a source that Rangers have gone to so many times, it's Tavernier in the wide areas, clipping great balls into good areas and providing quality.
41:55Oh, Raskam was desperate to free up Curtis there, Pelistri though came away with it.
42:00Janidis now looking to isolate Jiga.
42:04Rakicetas.
42:09Rakicetas.
42:12Still Pelistri remains down, which has left Panathinaikos rather short on the right-hand side as Skipper was looking out this way for him.
42:26Pelistri now has it.
42:28Terebea had the quick feet but surrounded by three Rangers players, Diamande pulled down by Rakicetas and I'm sure Rangers will ask the question to the referee why he will not end up in the book as two of the Rangers players have, but he survives.
42:49Well, a little bit of consistency, Rakicetas, very cynical. Diamande's got really good feet, just shifts it onto that left side.
42:57Steps away, and he looks like he's pulled back for me, I know that's covered, but he's still a yellow card in my opinion if the other one were Raskin.
43:06I know Raskin's getting more of the Jazz, I don't think there's anything that up for Errands in Pelistri a couple of moments before,
43:12but Rakicetas certainly got off with one for me.
43:17Suter, this is behind Danilo, Juricic.
43:21Bombing forward, Ioannidis from deep, Pelistri makes the run from out to in.
43:30Rakicetas, Ioannidis, there's plenty in the box for the right back to aim for, instead he tees it up back for Terebea.
43:40And Dowell gets there, importantly, before Kiriakopoulos.
43:45Yeah, you're spot on, Rory.
43:47He's brave because he knows he was taking one.
43:49He had to get there first.
43:51Had Kiriakopoulos got there first, then it would have been a penalty kick, so it looked like he was right on the penalty line.
43:58He's stuck to his task here and down.
44:04I know he's got himself back in favour here, but I'm not sure that would be his preferred position.
44:28The final three minutes of the half, Suter just has to react to get there ahead of Pelistri.
44:40When they get a snip of some possession, Panathinaikos really do go for it.
44:46Rockwell almost helping that through to Diomondi, then his touch let him down.
44:52Juricic now.
44:54Jornidis needs to hold it up for support.
45:00Occupies Jiga, and then Tavernier got in to help that to John Suter,
45:06and Ahrens to bring it away for Rangers.
45:09Does just always want to cut in on that right foot.
45:13Raskar lovely ball in sight to Curtis, the return ball though, picked up by Bacchis Setas.
45:21Tirovere lost out, Danilo.
45:26There were so many covering tackles there, it was unbelievable, maybe four or five.
45:31Guy's just coming back and doing the double cover.
45:37Picked up a bit of pace this match.
45:41Getting towards half-time, Rangers would dearly love to break the deadlock themselves here.
45:51Rothwell, clip ball, Raskar will leave it.
45:54And the bounce of the ball just didn't settle for Danilo.
45:58It's a good ball from Joe Rothwell, really clever from Raskar,
46:02and he's fully aware that Danilo's just making that little darted run in behind,
46:06whether Danilo's maybe thinks that Niko's just gonna get a little clip on it.
46:10Maybe, maybe he needs to be a bit sharper at that stage of the season for him.
46:15Skiddy surface.
46:16Final exchanges of the first half in the second round, qualifier first leg.
46:26Before the teams conclude next week in Athens.
46:31It's one of the odd quirks of this second round qualification draw that the seeded team have ended up playing the home leg first.
46:56Yeah, you always want to come back to Ibrox if you can. Certainly a big advantage.
47:18Incidentally, the last time the two teams met, February 2008 in the UEFA Cup,
47:23there was 0-0 here.
47:26Panathinaikos looked to be heading through in Athens thanks to Gianni Goumas' goal early on,
47:32but Nacho Novo nine minutes from time got the equaliser, Rangers progressed on away goals.
47:38And went on to make the final in Manchester that year.
47:42Last thing stands at Ibrox Stadium once again.
47:46it is scoreless.
47:49Rangers had some nervy moments in that first half, but they did seem to grow into the contest as it went on.
47:56Half-time at Ibrox Stadium.
47:58It is Rangers nil.
47:59Panathinaikos nil.
48:01Panathinaikos nil.
48:04It was a prize of calling for a good team.
48:07And a lot of people went on to play.
48:09Where do you know the two players do?
48:11Well, the team is a group of companions.
48:13And we got underneath that.
48:14This is our team.
48:16The team is a team.
48:17You can.
48:18You know what?
48:19You can.
48:20It's a team!
48:21The team.
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