Rangers begin their quest to reach the UEFA Champions’ League group stage this week with Greek giants Panathinaikos coming to Ibrox on Tuesday night.
Russell Martin will make his Rangers debut, in the dugout at least, as Rangers look to start their journey back to Europe’s top table for the first time since 2022.
With the return leg in Athens next week, the Gers will be looking to get themselves in front ahead of the away tie in the Greek summer heat.
A rocking Ibrox will be a big boost for the Gers, but the support will be looking for early signs of the new bosses style of play.
Rangers have a record of zero wins in four competitive matches against the Shamrocks, with the Greek side holding Rangers to a draw in their home tie before winning 3-1 at Ibrox in the 2003 UCL group stage.
They met again in the 2008 UEFA Cup last 32, with a 0-0 draw at Ibrox being followed by a 1-1 draw in Athens, with Nacho Novo’s late goal seeing the Gers progress to the last 16, their first step on their eventual road to the 2008 UEFA Cup Final in Manchester.
When is Rangers v Panathinaikos?
Rangers host the 20-time Greek Super League champions at Ibrox on July 22 with a 7:45pm kick off time.
Is Rangers vs Panathinaikos on TV and will I be able to live stream the Champions League qualifier?
Premier Sports will be covering the match from 7:15pm on Premier Sports 1.
RangersTV will also be showing the match visually and via audio for those outwith the UK who are subscribed.
Team news
Rangers remain without the long-term injured Dujon Sterling, along with Ridvan Yilmaz and Rabbi Matondo, all unregistered in the squad due to their injury status.
Thelo Aasgaard is also a doubt for the match after picking up a thigh injury in Tuesday’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic.
Clinton Nsiala, Robin Propper, Jose Cifuentes, Ben Davies and Ross McCausland are all unregistered and unavailable.
Rangers are allowed to make two squad changes prior to matchday so this may change but is unlikely as all have been told they are free to find new clubs.
Panathinaikos will be without winger Georgios Kyriopoulos who is missing with a serious Cruciate ligament injury
Who is the referee for Rangers v Panathinaikos UEFA Champions League qualifier?
The matchday referee squad is consisted of Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumšas his assistants Aleksandr Radius and Dovydas Sužiedėlis with Robertas Šmitas acting as fourth official.
German VAR referee Bastian Dankert will be assisted by another Lithuanian in Donatas Šimenas.
Rumšas and his assistants Radius and Sužiedėlis took charge of Rangers qualifier against Swiss side Servette back in 2022 under Giovanni Van Bronckhorst.
Referee: Donatas Rumšas
AR1: Aleksandr Radius
AR2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis
Fourth Official: Robertas Šmitas
VAR: Bastian Dankert
AVAR: Donatas Šimenas