Rangers fans warned amid Panathinaikos fixture confusion – Exclusive
Rangers fans are set to head to Athens in their thousands for next month’s Champions League qualifying tie against Panathinaikos.
The Gers were dealt an extremely tough card in this week’s draw, but Russell Martin will still be confident of success in his first test as manager.
Rangers could have a different-looking side come the first leg of the fixture on 22 July, which is followed by the return match in Greece a week later.
The home match will take place at Ibrox, with last year’s renovation shambles in the past, but there is confusion over exactly where the second leg will be staged.
Panathinaikos v Rangers looks set to be staged at Olympic Stadium
Panathinaikos’ Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium is undergoing renovation work, which is set to be completed in time for the 2025-26 domestic season.
However, next month’s Champions League qualifier against Rangers will likely come too soon.
It is thought that the Rangers game will instead be staged at the Olympic Stadium, which is also in Athens.
Panathinaikos will soon have to confirm a venue one way or another, and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett would like to see them stage it at the Olympic Stadium.
Hackett also warned Rangers fans to be on their best behaviour in Athens, regardless of where the match is staged.
“With Panathinaikos’ stadium under construction, it will be the sensible thing to switch the Rangers game to the Olympic Stadium in Athens,” Hackett exclusively told Ibrox News.
“It holds 75,000 so it will open up the opportunity for more tickets to be allocated to Rangers fans.
“The atmosphere in Athens will be electric, fuelled no doubt by the high levels of alcohol, and I warn travelling fans to be on their best behaviour to avoid the strong arm of the law.
“The police overseas at times can very quickly adopt strong arm tactics. With batons at the ready and tear gas, unruly fans must beware.”
Martin faces major first Rangers test
While a trip to the Greek capital in the height of summer is one that many supporters will not want to miss, there are far easier draws Rangers could have been given.
| Played | Won | Drew | Lost |
| 38 | 22 | 9 | 7 |
It means Martin, having only recently been appointed as Philippe Clement’s successor, must hit the ground running.
It is imperative that new signings are made at Rangers well before these two fixtures, which really are massive in terms of finances.