RUSSELL MARTIN ditched the brown brogues, as well as the collar and tie.
In a shocking first half against Panathinaikos, his players looked as casual as him.
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With their Champions League hopes on the line, they needed to smarten up their act.
In the end, it was left to 18-year-old Findlay Curtis to tailor a stylish finish with a goal so good it deserved to be wearing a top hat and tails.
Super sub Djeidi Gassama wasn’t far behind in the fashion stakes when he smashed home a stunning second just seconds after coming on.
It completed a remarkable rags to riches night for the Light Blues who are now in complete control of their own Champions League destiny.
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In a break from Ibrox tradition, new Rangers boss Martin has opted for a more laid back look on the touchline.
If his players keep on delivering, the fans won’t mind if turns up in his PJs.
On the final day of last season, Gers drew 2-2 with Hibs.
Had you told the Rangers fans then that their starting front three for their crucial Champions League qualifier in two months’ time would be Curtis, Danilo and Kieran Dowell, they wouldn’t have believed you.
But with Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane – both linked with moves away – not fit to start, that’s the incredible scenario that unfolded.
Yet here the Rangers fans were – new owners, a new manager and the promise of a new season.
Moment Panathinaikos fans take over Irish bar and sit in Glasgow street ahead of crunch Rangers clash
After a seismic summer of change, Ibrox was fully charged for the visit of Panathinaikos and the dawn of a new era.
The stakes were as high as ever with either Servette or Viktoria Plzen awaiting the winners.
Given the magnitude of the occasion, Martin could have done with more time.
But, as he already knows, you don’t get time at Rangers.
Martin’s side had been booed off at half-time against Club Brugge in the club’s only official pre-season friendly.
As a result, there were fears among the fans that Gers simply weren’t ready for a game of this size.
To date, Martin has made seven signings this summer – just three started last night.
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Nasser Djiga, Max Aarons and Joe Rothwell all made their competitive debuts, with fellow new boys Lyall Cameron, Emmanuel Fernandez and Gassama all on the bench.
Rangers, having started relatively brightly, were fortunate not to fall behind inside the opening ten minutes.
Having failed to defend the free-kick, Giorgos Kiriakopoulos got in behind the Gers defence and cut the ball back for Filip Duricic.
He forced Jack Butland into a stunning save, with Facundo Pellistri smashing the rebound off the outside of the post.
It was a major let off for the home side.
The Verdict
How they rated
JACK BUTLAND: Gers No 1 made smart early save before another stop from US star Erik Palmer-Brown. He excelled again after the break to twice deny Filip Djuricic 8
JAMES TAVERNIER: The Gers skipper celebrated a decade at Ibrox this week and is no longer the swashbuckling right-back of old. Sure to be a key figure in Greece next week 6
NASSER DJIGA: The Wolves loan star had a tussle with Fotis Ioannidis. Looked shaky at times and will need to improve on the ball. Looked more composed as the game went on 6
JOHN SOUTTAR: Centre-back was booked for hauling Facundo Pellistri down on halfway line but redeemed himself with a fine clearing header from a corner 7
MAX AARONS: Boss Russell Martin’s first signing started at left-back and had some edgy moments. Faces an even bigger test in the second leg in Athens next Wednesday 6
JOE ROTHWELL: New boy anchored midfield and assumed responsibility for set-piece duty. One important header out of his own box and tried to shield the centre-backs 7
NICOLAS RASKIN: Booked in a frantic start and was loose in possession in the first half. Freed Curtis for the crucial opening goal before twice being denied by Greek keeper 7
MOHAMED DIOMANDE: Got sight of goal but 20-yard shot was touched round post. Teed up midfield sidekick Raskin for good chance and freed Djeidi Gassama for his goal 7
KIERAN DOWELL: Back in from Siberia to start in an advanced role but was often on the fringes. Headed off target when presented with the chance to score 6
FINDLAY CURTIS: First European start for 18-year-old and he’ll never forget the solo goal which broke the deadlock. Fouled by Georgios Vagiannidis for his second booking 8
DANILO: Rare start for striker with Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane on the bench. First-half volley deflected inches beyond far post in his closest attempt on goal 6
SUBS: Djeidi Gassama (7) marked debut with stunning second goal. Cyriel Dessers (3) last season’s top scorer came on for Danilo. Hamza Igamane (3) headed wide at the far post. Nedim Bajrami (2) on late for Rothwell.
With 18 minutes gone, there was another scare – and another big Butland stop.
Raskin failed to clear the corner with the ball eventually breaking to Erik Palmer-Brown.
Butland was well positioned to keep the Greeks at bay.
Rangers couldn’t keep the ball. Too many Panathinaikos players were popping up in pockets of space.
It was all a bit of a mess with the home fans becoming increasingly agitated.
More slack defending presented Tasos Bakasetas with the next opportunity – this time John Souttar got across to make a vital block.
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Defensively, Gers were on the ropes. Offensively, the front three had offered next to nothing.
Indeed, it took a Mohamed Diomande shot from distance to force Bartlomiej Dragowski into his first save of the night.
It was enough to spark the home crowd back to life, with Danilo going even close moments later.
The Brazilian couldn’t have caught it any sweeter on the volley – his goal bound effort blocked by the chest of Nemanja Maksimovic.
It had taken the guts of 40 minutes, but at last there were signs of encouragement for the Ibrox support.
They had been second best for most of the first half and there needed to be a dramatic improvement after the break.
Regardless of how soon this qualifier had arrived, it was still nowhere good enough.
The Gers boss resisted the temptation to make changes at the break and just four minutes into the restart he had Butland to thank again.
Another free-kick was flighted into the box and this time Duricic was allowed to control it on his chest.
Getting his shot away, Butland was down smart to his right to beat the ball to safety.
Duricic forced the Gers No.1 into another save before Ibrox erupted.
There was absolutely nothing on for young Curtis when he gathered the ball wide left.
Cutting inside, he skipped past two Panathinaikos defenders before curling a wonderful shot past Dragowski.
It was a goal out of nothing – a strike Curtis will cherish for the rest of his life.
Suddenly, the mood inside Ibrox had changed.
The noise levels were cranked up another notch when Giorgos Vagiannidis was shown a second yellow card with 58 minutes gone.
From seemingly in control, the Greeks now found themselves a goal and a man down.
Dowell went close with a header before Nico Raskin forced Dragowski into two terrific saves.
All of a sudden, Rangers were enjoying themselves.
On came Dessers, Igamane and Gassama for the final 15 minutes.
With virtually his first touch in a Light Blue jersey, Gassama darted in from the same side of the pitch that Curtis had caused so much damage from.
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Panathinaikos hadn’t learned their lessons, sitting off the winger who took aim before blasting beyond Dragowski.
It was another magical goal on a night for Martin to savour.
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