Rangers hours away from ‘pivotal’ transfer outcome after Martin admission
Ibrox News presents the exclusive opinion of former Rangers player Derek Ferguson.
Rangers take on Panathinaikos in the second leg of their Champions League second round qualifying tie on Wednesday.
Russell Martin’s side will be favourites to qualify, having won the first leg 2-0 at Ibrox with goals from Findlay Curtis and Djeidi Gassama.
If they do make it through this tie, they will be two ties away from the league stage of the Champions League.
Defeats in any of their ties could see them drop down to the Europa League or the Conference League.
Rangers face huge Champions League tie in Athens
Former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson believes that the results of these Champions League fixtures will have a direct impact on Rangers’ success in the transfer market.
Ferguson has previously said that Rangers will need to sign some more ‘big name’ players to stand a good chance of challenging Celtic in the Scottish Premier League this season.
And, in an exclusive interview with Ibrox News, he claimed that Rangers could be set to attract a different type of player should they come through their Champions League qualifying ties.
Indeed, Russell Martin himself implied that certain targets could rely on advancing through to Europe’s primary club competition.
He said: “Getting through in the Champions League is what will attract players, that’s for sure. That’s why it’s extremely important to get the job done.
“It’s pivotal for Rangers. If you’re in the Champions League, players of a certain ilk will want to come.”
“Russell Martin has already suggested there could be players waiting by. It’d make a massive difference to Rangers in their transfer business.”
New-look Rangers have proven they can mix it with top-quality competition
Martin’s new-look Rangers side played very well in their first leg against Panathinaikos.
There were shaky periods. They were bailed out by Jack Butland a handful of times. But they proved they can mix it with top-quality European opposition and come out victorious.
They should have enough to get the job done in Greece.
| Date | Round | Opponent |
| 29 July | Second qualifying round | Panathinaikos |
| 5/6 August, 12 August | Third qualifying round | Viktoria Plzen or Servette |
| 19-20 August, 26-27 August | Play-off round | TBD |
However, it’s consistency that wins leagues, and Rangers’ new signings will still need to prove they have what it takes to turn up every week and perform against domestic opposition.
A couple of additional high-quality signings will make that easier, and Rangers are working tirelessly to make that happen.
However, Ferguson is right when he says that these types of players all want to play in the Champions League. If Rangers’ existing players can propel them into the group phase, it could help them sign these game-changers and further boost their chances of domestic honours.
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