By Stegthomson

Tuesday’s clash with Panathinaikos offers the first real chance to assess what kind of markers are laid down for the season ahead, as Rangers step into their first competitive fixture under the Russell Martin era. The summer reshuffle has seen fresh faces scattered across the park and already, the club’s European ambitions are under the microscope.

The squad announcement for this tie confirms what many fans have suspected, the rebuild is still very much in motion. Defensive numbers look worryingly thin and a couple of injuries or suspensions could tip the team into crisis territory. It’s notable how midfield heavy the squad appears, suggesting Martin is still assessing who fits where and who has a part to play in the long demanding year ahead.

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Looking at our opponents, Panathinaikos have already splashed over €5m this summer.
Their most eye-catching move for me is the loan of goalkeeper Lafont from Nantes. This towering Frenchman was once tipped as a future star and had been seen as a future France #1. He brings composure to a back line that still shows signs of vulnerability. He hasn’t started in any of their friendlies so maybe its a transitional career move that sees him rotated through the season or just delayed integration.

Alongside Lafont is his ex team mate Pedro Chirivella who is another signing from Nantes. He came through Liverpool’s academy and looks like the player Panathinaikos intend to build their midfield around, splashing around €2m this summer. He brings leadership and presence in the centre of the pitch.
It will be interesting to see him play alongside Adam Cerin in the middle as he is another player who dictates the play for Panathinaikos but rarely makes headlines. Cerin is their glue in midfield, reliable and good at switching play. He’s the type of player you want behind the more adventurous Filip Djuricic who if played will use his experience and intelligence to float into gaps and pull strings.

Anastasios Bakasetas is their most technically gifted midfielder who has excellent vision and provides them a set piece threat.
Experienced in La Liga and Turkey he is calm under pressure and shows Rangers must deny him space outside the box or he’s another who will dictate tempo and test our keeper.

Their main striker will likely be Greek international Ioannidis who will work like a battering ram number 9. He scored 11 goals in 37 appearances last season during 2024/25 and 22 goals in 38 appearances during the 23/24 campaign.
He’s a physically strong player, presses hard, but has inconsistent finishing. His heatmap shows wide drifting movement as he likes to drag defenders out of position and creates chaos rather than staying central.
I expect him to throw himself around early to test Rangers defensive composure.
We will likely see rotation with new man Swiderski, their new signing from Charlotte FC. The Polish international also brings a goal threat. He’s mobile, intelligent in his movements and can finish off either foot.
Combines well in tight spaces and will test Rangers centre backs with clever runs but could see him used to change things up as an ideal second half disruptor.

Under Rui Vitoria, Panathinaikos finished 3rd in the Greek Super League last season and gave Fiorentina a scare in last season’s Europa Conference League. A tie they narrowly lost out over two legs despite matching them in xG, possession and attacking entries.

Their style is a technically sound 4231 and another one of their key players is Tete, who brings a chaotic presence, capable of brilliance or brain fog in equal measures.
He’s a direct dribbler and not afraid to take on full backs. This is why I think Martin will opt to start Aarons as that will be one of the game’s key battles.

For all their clever play, the Greeks waste chances and panicked under pressure last season.
They have defensive cracks that can be exploited if Rangers are brave enough and clinical.

What Rangers should expect from Panathinaikos:

• A clever but chaotic attacking unit, they enter the final third often but lack a killer instinct last season and have another International option up their sleeve.
• A midfield that likes control but disrupt their attempts at controlling possession, and the structure breaks down.
• A defence prone to errors under pressure, particularly wide areas and high full backs leaving space behind.
• Moments of threat from wide or second balls, they overload well but don’t always finish the move.

Russell Martin’s first selection puzzle is a good headache to have for any new manager and one of the key questions heading into this tie is at the back, Rangers are still searching for stability. Max Aarons addition this season puts pressure on Jefte for the starting role. Both players bring pace and aggression going forward. But with just seven defenders named in the European squad, the defensive structure feels one injury or suspension away from being exposed.

New signings Nasser Djiga and Emmanuel Fernandez are untested at this level.
The big pre-match question is whether Martin opts for a back four or shifts to a back five for cover with Tav coming in centrally as we’ve seen before.

The biggest talking point lies in midfield, where eleven players have made the Rangers squad. There’s depth but also shows that some of the midfield is under review.

Expect Raskin to be part of the likely double pivot with a Barron or Rothwell, both capable of breaking up play and driving forward and alternating roles with Raskin.

Further forward, Diomande looks a natural fit for the No.10 role but has the discipline to drop deeper and shift into a flat three when required. His versatility could prove vital if Rangers want to counter Panathinaikos in midfield.

On the flanks, Bajrami and Assgaard will likely compete for the left sided role both capable of coming inside and linking play while Gassama feels like the obvious option on the right. Expect some rotation between the three depending on tempo, pressing strategy, and in-game adaptations.
If structured properly, this could be the most dynamic and flexible Rangers midfield seen in recent years.

This isn’t a tie Rangers need to fear but it is a game that will demand clarity, composure and control. Panathinaikos are a side that can be out thought and out run. If this Rangers side assert themselves early and remain disciplined under pressure, they can make a real statement not just for this tie, but for the new Russell Martin and 49ers era…