Rangers

Andy Burke in Athens
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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It's a swelteringly hot day in Athens with temperatures reaching 36 degrees.

It would seem most of the Rangers fans here are, understandably, taking shelter in the pubs, but we've spoken to a few in the city centre today.

Given the baking heat, they're very thankful their team have a two-goal cushion coming into the second leg and most feel that should be enough to see them through.

However, they all realise a big challenge awaits at the Olympic Stadium tonight and their hope is Rangers avoid the nightmare scenario of conceding an early goal that would give encouragement to Panathinaikos and their passionate fans.

Russell Martin says his team are coming to Athens to win the game, but you sense the Rangers supporters would take any result that sees them progress to the next round of Champions League qualifying.

We asked for your views on the expected arrival of Tottenham youngster Mikey Moore, who is set to complete a season-long loan move to Rangers.

Here's what some of you said:

Brian S: It would be better if it was permanent. From the few games I've seen of him, Mikey will have great future so it could be a really good bit of business by Rangers.

Brian C: Moore will be an exciting addition to the squad, he's a player who will put defenders on the back foot and inject energy into the Rangers style of play. I'm impressed he is coming to Rangers as he has attracted genuine interest from a number of clubs in England. He is highly rated and if we only have him for a season then so be it, as long as he helps us win the league in style.

Matt: Great loan signing. He is not a youth team signing, he's played 812 minutes for Tottenham over 20 games. With more game time I bet he'll be great. I saw him play in a Europa League game and he cause the other team loads of problems.

David: Can he light up Russell Martin's team? Absolutely! If he grows with us and avoids injuries he could be sensational. A season in the SPFL will be real education for him. Can't wait to see him in action.

Peter: The thing on my mind is worst-case scenario Martin doesn't last the pace, things in general go pear shaped, and he's sacked and we've got all these young players who might not be as good as the hype and we're left with them. But the good scenario is they produce the goods and we're going in right direction.

Neil: Seems the young lad is one of the top prospects in England. Rangers shouldn't hesitate if he buys into a full season loan at Ibrox.

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Rangers are "ready to deliver again" and will not be fazed by a hostile atmosphere at Panathinaikos, says midfielder Mohamed Diomande.

The Ibrox side take a two-goal lead to Athens in the second leg of their second round Champions League qualifier.

Panathinaikos head coach Rui Vitoria said Rangers "will understand that it is not easy to play in Athens" - but Diomande insists they can handle it.

"There are a lot of players who have played in this situation before," the midfielder said prior to Wednesday's second leg, which you can watch live on the BBC.

"Lots of us are used to this, playing week in, week out at Ibrox. I don't think there's going to be any pressure on us.

"I know our fans will be loud and that will push us. We've been preparing really well and we are ready to deliver again."

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Mikey Moore is poised to become Rangers' latest summer signing by arriving on a season-long loan from Tottenham.

The 17-year-old winger comes with a reputation as one of English football's brightest stars - so can he light up Russell Martin's team?

Are you excited by Moore's prospective arrival - and will he go straight into the team?

Let us know your thoughts.

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Can Rangers pass a stern "test of character" tonight in Athens and advance to the third round of Champions League qualifying?

Russell Martin's men take a 2-0 lead into the away leg against Panathinaikos but learned plenty about the Greek side's threat at Ibrox, especially during the first half when they were pinned back and indebted to Jack Butland for keeping the score level.

Martin's build-from-the-back philosophy was evident in his first game in charge and is a double-edged sword, according to The Herald football writer Stephen McGowan.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish football podcast, he said: "I think Martin's style of play can be successful and attractive, but it will always be prone to mistakes and leading to the potential to be punished.

"And obviously, the European games, you're more likely to get punished than you are in domestic games.

"Panathinaikos weren't particularly impressive in that first leg, but it's still a dangerous draw for Rangers. And this game still does carry a bit of danger.

"What Rangers will need to do, and to their credit they have shown this before under previous managers, is handle a difficult environment.

"It's a test of character for this team. It's a new team playing a new style, and that does make them vulnerable, but two goals is a nice cushion to have in the second leg."

Scottish coach and analyst John Walker believes Martin will make slight adjustments to Rangers' set-up tonight.

"Martin's always been quite clear is his style will always stay, but there'll be little tweaks," he said.

"I think he'll have looked at the areas in which they lost the ball from the Panathinaikos press and try and avoid those areas, so we might see full-backs a little wider to start."

Birmingham City are close to agreeing the permanent signing of Rangers centre-half Ben Davies, with the clubs in advanced talks over a £750,000 transfer of the 29-year-old. (Football Insider), external

Rangers would prefer to sell Jose Cifuentes, who spent last season with Aris Thessaloniki, instead of sending the 26-year-old midfielder on another loan. (Glasgow Times), external

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has confirmed he is prepared to let Mikey Moore go out on loan to pick up first-team experience and Rangers are favourites to sign the 17-year-old forward. (The Herald), external

Go Ahead Eagles chief executive Jan Willem van Dop says they will only sell one of Oliver Antman, the 23-year-old who is a target for Rangers, and fellow winger Jakob Breum, for whom they have rejected bids from Celtic, this summer. (De Oosttribune), external

Raith Rovers are looking to sign 17-year-old striker Josh Gentles from Rangers and it could be the first part of a cooperation agreement between the clubs. (Daily Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Athens

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Mohamed Diomande feels he has developed the mental strength required to be a success at Rangers after initially finding the demands at Ibrox "a shock".

The Ivorian midfielder arrived in Glasgow in 2024 on an initial loan deal from Danish side FC Nordsjælland before making the move permanent.

And he believes he is now ready to show the best of himself as he gears up to take on Panathinaikos in the second leg of the second round of Champions League qualifying in Athens on Wednesday.

"I'm learning and progressing as a player every day," Diomande told BBC Scotland.

"So I'm happy that I'm playing at this level because it's also something I have wanted since I was young, to experience all of this, to play in a bigger club and to play in front of 50,000 fans.

"I feel like there's still more for me that I need to show. Maybe the people have not seen it. Maybe some people have, but I think there's still more I can give."

Diomande says he is relishing working under Russell Martin and explained that the new head coach wants to make only subtle changes to his game.

"I would say he wants me to not do much different, but to be patient and to stay in the position, to trust that my team-mates are going to find me in the right position, then I can do the damage, I can maybe give the final pass," he said.

"I'm just doing what he has asked me to do. It would be amazing [to progress] because we want to do everything we can to get in the Champions League, to be part of it."

Listen: Diomande & Martin on Panathinaikos test

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Head coach Russell Martin says Djeidi Gassama is ready to impact Rangers from the start after the winger announced himself to Ibrox with a stunning strike last Tuesday.

With the score of the first leg of the second round Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos at 1-0, summer signing Gassama came off the bench to smash in a vital second goal.

Martin says the 21-year-old's blistering cameo highlighted the reasons why the Ibrox club signed him from Sheffield Wednesday, and the Rangers boss revealed he is now ready to be unleashed from the first whistle.

"He's ready to start," Martin said prior to Wednesday's second leg in Athens, which you can watch live on the BBC.

"He had a big impact for us when he came on. You saw plenty of the reasons why we wanted to sign him.

"Gass is a player who really excites us and he can make a big difference for us. Hopefully he can do the same [on Wednesday night]."

Martin also confirmed striker Cyriel Dessers is ready to start, but fellow forward Hamza Igamane and midfielder Thelo Aasgaard are missing.

Meanwhile, Rangers have been linked with bringing another winger to the club in the form of Tottenham's Mikey Moore.

Martin would not give anything away regarding the reported interest but praised the 17-year-old.

"There are lots of players we like, lots we're linked to," the Rangers boss added.

"[Moore's] a really good player. If at any point he becomes a Rangers player, we'll let you know."

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Head coach Russell Martin has been speaking to the media prior to the second leg of Rangers' Champions League second-round qualifier at Panathinaikos.

Here are the key lines:

• Thelo Aasgaard and Hamza Igamane have not travelled with the squad, but Cyriel Dessers and Djeidi Gassama are fit and ready to start.

• Martin hopes Aasgaard will be available for Saturday's trip to Motherwell but says "to risk him this early on [in the season] would be crazy".

• The Rangers boss is convinced his team "will be better" than they were in the first leg. "We'll have to be," he adds.

• On how he will approach the second leg, Martin says: "You have to try and win every single game, that has to be the mentality of our team".

• He is also demanding his players "display courage, discipline, aggression in the right areas, and intensity".

• And the Ibrox boss is "really confident" his players can handle a hostile atmosphere.

• On reports linking Rangers with a move for Tottenham's Mikey Moore, Martin would not give anything away but says the youngster is a "really good player".

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

I'd have to say first, not because I believe we will at this point, but given we have one direct rival for the title, if we don't win it, the season has to be ultimately described as a failure.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

So far Joe Rothwell looks the pick of the bunch. He gives us the experience and the ability in that role that's been missing since Steven Davis left the club. A middle three of Rothwell, Nico Raskin and Mo Diomande is an exciting prospect.

What do you want from your manager this season?

A lot has been made of Russell Martin and his footballing style and philosophy. Even this early on you can see what he's trying to do and implement on the pitch. All I want from him, however, is to win games of football - as many as possible.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

Last year it was Hamza Igamane, this year it could be Findlay Curtis. He's been given a chance early on and seems to have the mentality to become a Rangers player. He's got the talent but his mentality is the most impressive attribute about him.

What is your one major concern?

That we will not be able to clear the deadwood from the squad, which could hamper us in the market.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Athens

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Panathinaikos are "very confident" they can turn around a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Rangers in Athens on Wednesday to progress in their Champions League qualifier, says defender Erik Palmer-Brown.

The Greek side missed chances at Ibrox last week before goals from Findlay Curtis and Djeidi Gassama either side of a red card for the visitors' Georgios Vagiannidis.

And Palmer-Brown knows Panathinaikos must be more clinical if they are to rescue the tie and reach the third qualifying round.

"I think this last week, we all have felt really confident and believe in ourselves to go out there and do what is needed," said the US international.

"We are playing at our house, in front of our fans. We know their expectations and what we expect of ourselves as well.

"We did a lot of things well [in Glasgow]. We didn't finish off the chances we created and ultimately that hurt us.

"This is football and sometimes it's cruel. You get unlucky sometimes. This game we need to take advantage of the chances we create.

"As a group we know what's on the line. We can't concede any more goals and we have to score multiple goals so our goal is to go out there, play for the fans, play for the club and we are going to do that to the best of our ability."

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Jack Butland insists he never considered seeking an escape route this summer and Rangers remains the club "where I want to be".

The former England goalkeeper lost his Ibrox starting spot to Liam Kelly during the final months of last term under interim boss Barry Ferguson.

But Butland, 32, was give the gloves by new head coach Russell Martin for the season-opening first-leg win over Panathinaikos in Champions League qualifying last week and is determined to build on that impressive performance.

"Has it been smooth sailing, my time at the club? Not for me personally, for all of us, no, it's not been quite as successful as we'd like it to have been," Butland told Sky Sports.

"I never lost that, I didn't walk away from the season thinking, although some people like to try and make those stories up, that that's the end of it.

"I was very determined that I will determine how my career goes here.

"Obviously things can be taken out of your hands at times, but I was very adamant in the summer that regardless of what happens, what managerial changes, ownership changes, that I was going to come in and be the best version of myself and at least give myself the opportunity to have control of what happens next.

"I hope I've managed to do that. I certainly feel fit and sharp and positive and looking forward to the season ahead at a club where I want to be.

"I never once looked away from it and thought I need a change or I need to get out.

"I need to keep my head up, stick my chest out and get on with it. That's the plan."

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Former midfielder Charlie Adam believes Rangers fans should "absolutely" be optimistic for the season ahead, but he stressed the full picture will only emerge in a month's time.

Russell Martin got his Ibrox reign off to a positive start with a 2-0 Champions League win over Panathinaikos, but Rangers still have to come through a tough test in Greece on Wednesday to reach the third qualifying round.

Under new ownership, Rangers have made seven signings this summer and are heavily linked with adding highly-rated Tottenham youngster Mikey Moore on loan.

Martin stressed last week that his squad would look different at the end of August and Adam believes the next few weeks will be crucial off the park.

"This squad's not ready yet," he said. "This squad will have another three or four players by the end of the window and that's where you'll then start to judge it.

"Unfortunately the games come quick in terms of European games. Russell will have to navigate his way through these games at the moment to get performances but also get results, because ultimately they want to be in the Champions League.

"If they can get through this Panathinaikos game then it will give them more money to spend on different types of players and be able to recruit better quality."

When asked if Rangers fans should be optimistic about the season ahead, the former Everton coach added: "Absolutely, absolutely. There's a plan, there's a strategy inside the football club at the moment that's aligned, and that's important when new investors come in.

"But there's a lot of building work in terms of bringing Kevin Thelwell in, who I know from Everton. He's done some good business within a tough period at Everton through the financial problems that they had.

"He's got good experience in English football, he's got good contacts abroad from where he's worked as well.

"Dan Purdy's coming in as head of recruitment, which is good. And they've brought a manager in who has the style and the right personality to be a Rangers manager. So I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do."

Looking ahead to Wednesday's second leg in Athens, Adam believes his former Stoke team-mate Jack Butland will be a key player.

"Of course Panathinaikos can cause you problems. There were moments in the first leg that were nervy," Adam said.

"But they come through that period and they need their goalkeeper. He looks like he's back to good form and he's got confidence. I know him, I've played with him, so it's good to see him playing well again and they're going to need him."

Rangers have emerged as favourites to sign English winger Mikey Moore, 17, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. (Matt Law - Telegraph), external

Former Ibrox striker Kris Boyd suggests Rangers would need to show patience with Moore. (Record), external

Left-back Oliver Goodbrand, 16, and winger Alfie Hutchison, 16, have joined Newcastle United from Rangers. (Sun), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Herald football writer Stephen McGowan thinks Rangers will be "difficult to predict" against Panathinaikos on Wednesday night.

Russell Martin's men head to Athens with a 2-0 advantage for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier.

They head into their midweek match following a 2-2 draw with English Championship Middlesbrough in a pre-season friendly at the weekend, during which the new boss played a totally different starting XI than at Ibrox last midweek.

"Going to Athens 2-0 up on Wednesday and you have to wonder, does he stick with that?" McGowan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Does he try to be just a little bit more pragmatic? Would that go against the way he manages? So that's going to be an interesting time.

"I don't think the game against Middlesbrough would have told him a great deal about his starting lineup.

"I think the problem for Rangers is that they are a work in progress is still very difficult to predict what will happen this season, let alone on Wednesday night.

"The one thing they have done is they've upset teams like Panathinaikos. They're good at hitting on the break. They're good at pressing the opposition into mistakes.

"I don't think the friendly tells you very much what was going to happen Wednesday night, but it's going to be really fascinating to see how Russell Martin plays it."

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Oliver Antman is expected to join Rangers within 48 hours after a fee was agreed with Go Ahead Eagles for the 23-year-old Finland winger. (Record), external

Midfielder Manolis Siopsis, 31, has been ruled out of Panathinaikos' home leg against Rangers on Wednesday, with the Greeks trailing the Champions League qualifier 2-0. (Herald - subscription required), external

Rangers are favourites to sign 17-year-old winger Mikey Moore on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. (Matt Law on X), external

Leicester City boss Marti Cifuentes hints he wants to keep reported Rangers target Conor Coady, 32. (Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

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Robin Propper says "I haven't regretted" joining Rangers despite the Dutch centre-half returning to Twente for an undisclosed fee after only a season with the Scottish Premiership club.

The 31-year-old has signed a four-year contract with the Eredivisie club after being told he was not in new Rangers head coach Russell Martin's plans.

"Last season, I had the opportunity to play for a major international team," he told Twente's website.

"I couldn't pass up the opportunity, even though the decision wasn't easy, especially since we were close to the start of the new season with Twente. Nevertheless, I decided to make that choice. I haven't regretted it.

"It was a great year, both personally and in terms of sport, with all sorts of new experiences."

However, Propper said "the choice isn't difficult" to return to the club where he was captain and where the team spirit "is so strong".

Of his time in Glasgow, he added: "It was an eye-opener for me. I wasn't aware of how foreign boys feel when they come to the Netherlands. I think they need attention and time.

"In a year you experience a lot. I have noticed that now. In a foreign country, certain things are different. I'm glad that I was able to experience that.

"I played a lot of games. I had a lot of beautiful moments. Also a little less.

"Of course I want to say that I had a great adventure at a beautiful club with a rich history. I always wanted that in my career."

We asked for your views on any selection headaches Russell Martin may have for the trip to face Panathinaikos after the 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough.

Here is what some of you said:

Ronnie: I generally do not enjoy these friendly games. You learn very little. Playing one in between a crucial European tie is baffling. I did not see or expect to see a standout performance. For most of the first half, we were slow and lacked creativity. Thankfully, nobody likely to play on Wednesday picked up an injury.

David: I don't think he'll have seen much to consider many line-up or bench changes at this point.

Lyall Cameron and Oscar Cortes did themselves no harm, but we need to treat this game as a one-off, learn lessons from the first leg and set ourselves up to get through by scoring over there. Definitely capable of doing that.

Brian: I really get Russell Martin's frustration at his team's initial lack of intensity against Middlesbrough; those players should need no motivation to impress the manager and the supporters.

You can easily dismiss the game as being only a pre-season friendly against Middlesbrough, not exactly elite opposition, but we nevertheless expect energy and desire from players wearing the Rangers shirt otherwise, this season will be a painful watch.

Jim: Nah. Awkward-looking selection didn't do anyone any favours in the starting line-up, and short-changed the fans that turned up. Maybe the attitude wasn't great, but being part of such a makeshift team wouldn't have done anyone's confidence any good.

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Rangers will host League 1 side Alloa Athletic in the second round of the League Cup.

Third-tier Alloa scored a late winner as they came from behind to win 3-2 and overtake Championship hosts Airdrieonians at the top of Group C on Saturday.

Ties are due to be played on the weekend of 16th/17th August.

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Goalkeeper Mason Munn has joined Dunfermline Athletic on loan.

The 19-year-old joins Neil Lennon's side for the 2025/26 campaign, after making his Rangers debut in last season's Scottish Cup in a 5-0 win over Fraserburgh.

The club said they wish "Mason well for his time on loan."