New Ibrox boss Russell Martin faces a huge early test of his credentials with the Greeks in town.
Fans will learn the first Rangers XI trusted by Russell Martin to get the job done with something on the line tonight.
The new Ibrox boss faces a huge early test of his credentials with Panathinaikos in town for the first leg of a Champions League second round qualifier.
Gers will have something of the unknown about them, given they’ve only played one friendly not behind closed doors but Pana boss insists he’s not going to cry about the lack of info to go on.
There’s not much for the home fans to go on either, although Martin did give some clues in his pre-match press conference.
He talked up Danilo’s first impressions since he took over. The Brazilian has been hampered by injury since joining from Feyenoord and has played third fiddle to Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane.
Both are fit, but not enough to play the whole game, which suggests they will join new signing Djeidi Gassama the bench. Thelo Aasgaard is the only major injury doubt.
Keep an eye on Findlay Curtis, the 18-year-old has turned heads pre-season and gives the Ibrox head coach natural width. Kieran Dowell is another who the new boss likes.
Martin said: “Thelo is the only injury concern, our great medical team is working really hard to get him back.
“To come through pre-season with only one injury concern is really good, and it is a collaborative effort.
“Cyriel, Hamza and Djeidi are all ready to contribute, not ready for 90 minutes just yet, but we will see them at some point over the two ties.”
Here’s how Record Sport things they might line up:
Predicted Rangers XI
Provisional Rangers squad
Goalkeepers
Jack Butland
Liam Kelly
Kieran Wright
Defenders
James Tvaernier
Max Aarons
John Souttar
Jefte
Nasser Djiga
Emmanuel Fernandez
Leon King
Midfielders
Joe Rothwell
Oscar Cortes
Connor Barron
Mohamed Diomande
Thelo Aasgaard
Nedim Bajrami
Lyall Cameron
Kieran Dowell
Djeidi Gassama
Nico Raskin
Robbie Fraser
Forwards
Cyriel Dessers
Hamza Igamane
Josh Gentles
Danilo
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