Predicted 11

Panathinaikos vs Rangers predicted Champions League line-up

Findlay Curtis and Djeidi Gassama both scored at Ibrox last week <i>(Image: Bradley Collyer)</i>
Findlay Curtis and Djeidi Gassama both scored at Ibrox last week (Image: Bradley Collyer)
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Rangers are back in action this evening, visiting Panathinaikos in the second round of Champions League qualifiers.

Russell Martin's side takes a 2-0 lead over Greece as they look to take a step closer to the league stage.

Who starts in Greece? Our writers have their say below.

Joshua Barrie

Russell Martin has a lead to protect tonight in Athens - so will he attack the game or protect his side’s advantage? I wouldn’t expect much deviation from the head coach’s desire to have and hold the ball demonstrated so far, although it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the exact same starting 11 that won last week’s meeting 2-0.

Jack Butland looked as confident as he has in a long time last Tuesday and should see an unchanged defence ahead of him. Max Aarons is the first-choice left-back for now.

A line-up, with the game a little too soon for Thelo Aasgaard and Martin praising Nico Raskin for his best outing yet against Middlesbrough at the weekend from the bench, the Belgian will likely partner Joe Rothwell and Mo Diomande in midfield. 

It would be very harsh not to start Findlay Curtis after his goal last week; however, Djeidi Gassama’s pace in this fixture is surely a necessity. Could we see Gassama play from the right? Or will Kieran Dowell’s experience be favoured in this fixture?

The pace of Gassama and Curtis’ nose for goal - demonstrated over the past week - might just make sense in a game where Rangers could see a little less possession.

 
Joshua's predicted team to start in Athens (Image: Rangers Review)

 

 


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Blair Malloy

If you had offered Russell Martin a 2-0 lead to take over to Athens for the second leg of this tie, he would have bitten your hand off - even if there is slight disgruntlement in some quarters that they didn't put the tie to bed when the Greeks were down to 10 men.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it - that's the method I would employ when picking the line-up for Wednesday's crunch match. Djeidi Gassama did of course, set pulses racing when just minutes after his inclusion, he scored a stunning effort to announce himself to the Ibrox crowd. However, with the red-hot form of Findlay Curtis, last week's other goal scorer, it would be hard to leave him out of his naturalised left wing position. While there is an argument to include both, Martin's patience and persistence with Kieran Dowell suggest to me that he views the Englishman as a key cog in his machine.

Jack Butland and the back four in front of him are already starting to pick themselves, even if Max Aarons remains as an unorthodox left back.

Joe Rothwell was another standout last week, and his commanding presence at the base of midfield will be vital if Rangers are to come away with a positive result. 

Danilo added to his pre-season glut of goals with a deft header against Middlesbrough and looks set to lead the line ahead of Cyriel Dessers, with Hamza Igamane an almost certain injury absentee. 

Blair's predicted team to start in Athens (Image: Rangers Review)

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