FINDLAY CURTIS was left speechless after a dream first European start for Rangers last night.
The 19-year-old opened the scoring at a sold-out Ibrox as Russell Martin’s side defeated Panathinaikos 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round first leg.
Speaking to RangersTV at full-time, Curtis said it was a dream evening having come through the Academy since the age of six.
He said: “I am speechless, I am just delighted, and it is obviously another step in my career. I have started in a Champions League qualifier which if you asked me two weeks ago, I don't think I would've imagined but I am absolutely delighted
“I found out the day before that I was starting so I was texting my mum and dad and telling them that and they both started crying so my thanks go to them because they have taken me here there and everywhere.”
On his goal, Curtis continued: “I saw Nico [Raskin] on the ball and my first touch says it all. I just took it in the pitch and saw the goalie to his left side, so I thought let me just hit a shot and it went in.
“My celebration says it all, I have been here since I was six years old, so it is a dream come true. All of my family, my girlfriend, her parents and my mates were here so I am just delighted.”
Curtis hopes he can continue to push on under head coach Russell Martin and his coaching staff, he added: “He has been absolutely brilliant with me, I have said it in recent interviews, it has been intense this pre-season, but it has been beneficial.
"Normally some managers wouldn’t start a 19-year-old boy in a Champions League qualifier, but I am thankful for what he has done for me so far and hopefully he keeps pushing me on.”
With Rangers heading for Athens next Wednesday for the second-leg of the tie, Curtis says the squad have to look to be on the front foot once again to progress.
He continued: “I thought in the first 10 minutes we started very well and were on the front foot and then there was a 10-minute period where we were shaky. Obviously, they hit the post, and Jack [Butland] made a couple of great saves.
“In the second-half, we came out and we were the dominant team and then I scored that goal and credit to Gass as well, he has been in the building for two weeks and has been absolutely brilliant.
“It has always been about being on the front foot, I think if we start on the front foot the game will take care of itself next week, but we will be ready and bring it on.”