Rangers are set to kick off their UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign this week, with Greek heavyweights Panathinaikos visiting Ibrox for a crucial first-leg clash on Tuesday night.
It'll be a debut of a different kind for Russell Martin, who takes charge of the Light Blues for the first time from the touchline, aiming to guide them back to Europe's elite competition after a two-year absence.
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With the return fixture looming in the sweltering heat of Athens next week, the Glasgow side will be eager to seize the initiative on home soil and build a lead to carry into the decisive leg.
A full-throated Ibrox crowd promises to provide a thunderous backdrop, and fans will be watching closely for the first real glimpse of Martin’s tactical imprint on the team.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Rangers vs. Panathinaikos live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this UEFA Champions League Qualifiers match in the UK:
TV channel: Premier Sports 1
Live stream: Rangers TV, Premier Sports Player
This game is available for live TV broadcast in the UK on Premier Sports 1. Streaming options are available on Rangers' official TV Channel, Rangers TV, and Premier Sports Player.
What time does Rangers vs. Panathinaikos kick off?
This UEFA Champions League Qualifiers clash takes place at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, and kicks off on Tuesday, July 22 at 7:45 p.m. local time (BST).
Rangers vs. Panathinaikos predicted lineups, team news
Rangers will head into their Champions League qualifier still hampered by a growing injury list, with long-term absentee Dujon Sterling joined on the sidelines by Ridvan Yilmaz and Rabbi Matondo, all three omitted from the European squad due to their ongoing fitness concerns.
Thelo Aasgaard is another potential casualty, having sustained a thigh strain during a closed-door friendly earlier in the week against Neil Lennon's Dunfermline Athletic, casting doubt over his availability.
A handful of others, Clinton Nsiala, Robin Propper, Jose Cifuentes, Ben Davies, and Ross McCausland, have also been left out of the UEFA squad, with the club having reportedly informed them they're free to explore moves elsewhere. While UEFA regulations allow up to two changes to the squad list before matchday, significant alterations appear unlikely.
Rangers predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Butland (GK) — Tavernier, Souttar, Pröpper, Aarons — Rothwell, Dowell, Diomande — Cortes, Gassama, Danilo.
Injured: Sterling, Aasgaard , Yilmaz, Matonda.
Suspended: None.
On the other side, Panathinaikos have been active in the summer market, reinforcing their backline with the arrivals of Ahmed Touba and Georgios Kyriakopoulos. Midfield orchestrator Pedro Chirivella is expected to play a key role in unlocking Rangers' defence with his eye for a killer pass.
However, the Greek outfit will be without winger Kyriopoulos, who remains sidelined with a serious cruciate ligament injury.
Panathinaikos predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Drągowski (GK) — Vagiannidis, Touba, Palmer-Brown, Max — Chirivella, Siopis, Maksimovic — Pellistri, Ioannidis, Tete.
Injured: Kyriopoulos (ACL).
Suspended: None.
UEFA Champions League Qualifiers schedule this week
All times BST
Tuesday, July 22
- Lech Poznan vs. Breidablik (7:30 p.m.)
- Rangers vs. Panathinaikos (7:45 p.m.)
- Rijeka vs. Ludogorets Razgrad (7:45 p.m.)
- SK Brann vs. RB Salzburg (8:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, July 23
- Shelbourne vs. FK Qarabag (7:45 p.m.)
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