Russell Martin: Our Lead Will Not Impact Our Approach To The Game

RUSSELL MARTIN insists having a 2-0 lead heading into tomorrow evening’s UEFA Champions League second round qualifier against Panathinaikos will not impact the approach from his team.

The head coach wants his players to believe in what they are doing as they aim to have a positive night in Athens and secure their place in the next qualifying round.

Speaking to the media at this evening’s pre-match press conference, Martin said: “For me, it is the same situation we found ourselves in before the first game, it is a tough game against a good opponent, and one that we have to be really ready for.

“I think we will be better than we were last week, we have to be and it is down to the players when they step out over the white line to make sure we stick to the work, the detail and really believe in what we are doing.

“At this football club you have to try to win every single game, there has to be that mentality.

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“I don't believe in going into something and trying to avoid something. We try to work towards it rather than work away from it so we will work hard to try to win the game and we have to be very good to do that.”

Martin is confident his players will be able to handle anything tomorrow night throws at them, including the atmosphere.

He continued: “We have a lot of international players, I think we have to manage the game and take the crowd out of it as much as possible by doing it in our way.

“We have to try to dominate in as many aspects as we can so I am looking forward to the atmosphere, it will be a really good experience for the guys. We have a lot of guys who have played in big games and big occasions and I am confident they can handle it.

“I think once the game starts it is the same as any other game, and we have a chance to give the travelling fans a night to remember and have a night to remember ourselves.

“I loved the other night and I hope we can have another really positive night tomorrow.”

When asked if he expects an attacking start from Panathinaikos given the advantage Rangers have in the tie, Martin added: “I think they did that at Ibrox as well, they didn't come there trying to defend.

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“They stuck to their game plan with the games we have watched previously and they weren’t defensive in their mentality or their approach so we have to bring our own game plan.

“We have taken so much learning from last Tuesday night and I think we need to make sure we take that into tomorrow.”

Rangers travelled to Athens without the injured Hamza Igamane and Thelo Aasgaard, but Martin was full of praise for Djeidi Gassama who came off the bench last week to score in his debut for the club.

He added: “I think he is ready to start, he had a big impact for us when he came on and you saw plenty of the reasons why we wanted to sign him.

“We had the luxury of Sal Bibbo working with him all of last season and seeing and understanding the talent and ability that he has and he felt this environment would be perfect for him to grow and continue to improve.

“It is early days but he is a player who really excites us and I think he can make a big difference for us and hopefully he does the same again tomorrow night.”


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