Max Aarons defended by former Rangers player after what’s been said online
Rangers had a wonderful result in Europe against Panathinaikos on Wednesday night.
Gers’ 1-1 draw in Greece was enough to book their place in the next round of Champions League qualifying as they ran out as 3-1 winners on aggregate.
Goals from Djeidi Gassama in both legs were crucial, with the 21-year-old French winger getting off to a flying start for the Light Blues.
Despite the positive result, Max Aarons faced criticism online for his performance, with the left-back appearing to struggle in the game.
Maurice Ross comes to Aarons’ defence after criticism
Aarons, 25, joined Russell Martin’s side on loan from Bournemouth earlier in the summer as one of many high-profile additions.
Aarons’ previous clubs:
- Norwich City 2018-2023
- Bournemouth 2023-Present
- Valencia (loan) 2025
The defender has not hit the ground running as of yet, with the full-back even struggling during the 2-0 victory in the first leg against Panathinaikos at Ibrox.
Journalist Jonny McFarland took to X (31 July) during the game to say that Aarons should not even be Martin’s first-choice left-back, with Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz being described as “far better options”.
McFarland also claimed that Rangers were lucky in the game, with the left side of their defence being “ripped asunder”.
Former Rangers player Maurice Ross, who made 78 appearances for Gers between 2000 and 2005, came to the defence of Aarons after McFarland’s criticism of him.
Ross simply replied: “Disagree”.
Aarons under fire already
While the start to his Rangers career has been far from ideal, Aarons still has plenty of time to turn it around.
On paper, bringing the defender in on loan looked to be a fantastic piece of business, and it is up to Martin to help his new arrival settle and begin to play his best football.
Playing for a massive club like Rangers leaves you open to scrutiny. No matter how recently you’ve arrived, if you fail to meet expectations, you will know about it.
This pressure makes some players thrive while others crumble, and in the coming weeks we will see what it does to Aarons.
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