Butland Shines as Rangers Survive Greek Scare

On a sweltering Athens night, Rangers FC displayed both remarkable resilience and moments of vulnerability, ultimately achieving their objective in the Champions League second-round qualifier against Panathinaikos. This hard-fought 1-1 draw secured a 3-1 aggregate victory, marking a significant milestone in Russell Martin's early tenure as head coach.

Character Shines Through Testing Encounter

The match proved as challenging as anticipated, with Rangers benefiting from Greek profligacy and Jack Butland's heroic saves. However, the team's character under pressure was particularly impressive, demonstrating the foundations Martin is building.

"We will get better. The group will grow so much from this," Martin emphasized post-match. Former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell noted on BBC Sportsound: "That's the big thing for me with Russell Martin - he thrives on the training ground. The longer he has with his players, the better they'll become."

Gassama's Impact and Defensive Resolve

Djeidi Gassama emerged as the match-winner with his second crucial goal in consecutive games, canceling out Filip Duricic's opener just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute. The strike effectively halted Panathinaikos' momentum when Rangers' aggregate lead looked precarious.

Defender John Souttar epitomized Rangers' spirit with a commanding performance at center-back. "That's how you build a team, coming through those tough moments," Souttar told BBC Scotland. "It shows our mentality. We've got [Butland] to thank because he was excellent again."

Areas for Improvement

While the result was positive, Rangers' possession play raised concerns. Sloppy ball retention plagued both legs, a weakness that must be addressed before facing Viktoria Plzen in the next round.

Former Rangers striker Peter Lovenkrands observed: "If Gassama hadn't scored then, Rangers could have potentially lost. The style of play right now seems like it's not really working." Midfielder Andy Halliday added: "Rangers are a work in progress... There are a lot of things to work on."

Looking Ahead

The Czech opponents present another stern test, though potentially less formidable than Panathinaikos. As Martin continues implementing his philosophy and integrates new signings, Rangers will need to show rapid improvement to progress further in the competition.