RUSSELL MARTIN says he’s proud of the way his players grew into tonight’s game to deliver a first leg advantage in their UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round clash against Panathinaikos.
The Gers endured some rocky moments in the first half and required several interventions from goalkeeper Jack Butland, but an inspired second half showing was punctuated by wonder strikes from Academy graduate Findlay Curtis and debutant Djeidi Gassama.
Speaking to RangersTV after the first leg triumph, Martin reflected: “I’m really proud of the players and the staff. The crowd was amazing.
“We had a few sticky moments which I tried to warn beforehand that we might because the team is so new and young.
“They tried so hard to do the things that we’re asking them to do and I’m really proud of the players for that.
“We started the game really well, then had a few tricky moments, but everyone stuck together which we’re going to need.
“We needed a couple of big moments from Jack [Butland] which hopefully we won’t always need and the big man delivered when he had to.
“We then had a few big moments ourselves and I’m really delighted because the lads ran so hard.
“There was a bit of tension in the first half, which is to be expected when they’re being asked to do a lot of new things.
“It’s such a big occasion and for many it’s their first time playing at a full Ibrox. For the group of players to come through that will be huge, and I’m really grateful to the supporters for the intensity they brought to the game.”
Curtis’ intervention in the second half swung the momentum in Rangers’ favour as, just moments after his spectacular strike, he drew the foul from Panathinaikos defender Giorgos Vagiannidis which prompted a second yellow card.
And with the Greek side committing bodies forward in search of a leveller, they were once again caught short-staffed at the back as Gassama produced his own moment of magic in a debut to remember for the Frenchman.
Martin continued: “All we asked for at half-time was to take more care of the ball and move it a bit quicker.
“Too many players were receiving the ball in areas where they shouldn’t, which they weren’t doing in training or pre-season, but of course it’s different, and we’re playing against a really good team who have been together for a while.
“It’s never easy, but the fact the group came through that with the supporters right behind them will be amazing for us moving forward.
“We spoke about Findlay before the game having the character and mentality to play for this club. He had a difficult first half; he’s a young man and supports the club which is not easy.
“He was fantastic in his reaction and his attention to detail in the second half. And Djeidi Gassama hopefully showed people why we were so keen to sign him and he’s a real specialist in that area.
“Once he gets up to speed – he’s not fully fit at all – he’s going to be a real threat for us.”
On next week’s return leg in Athens, which will pose its own unique atmosphere, the Gers Head Coach added: “It will be as tough as tonight. The job is half done, so we need to make sure that we improve and we will.
“We need to be better in eight days’ time, and I’m confident with the work that we put in that we will.
“We need to show the same intensity, diligence and work that we put in for this game, and we need to be better.”