Rangers Already Up Against It As Champions League Opponents Revealed | OneFootball

Rangers are back in the Champions League spotlight and it is already shaping up to be a campaign of real intrigue. There is always anticipation when the draw is made and the excitement around the club tends to build as the ties are confirmed. This time round Rangers have been handed what many fans are calling a killer draw in Panathinaikos for the qualifying stages. While nothing is ever certain in football the noise around this tie is certainly growing and it is clear that Rangers have it all to do if they are to progress to the next phase of the competition.

Facing Panathinaikos is no easy task. The Greek side are a tough well-drilled outfit with plenty of experience in European football and they will not be fazed by the challenge of playing Rangers. Russell Martin will be under pressure to get things right tactically and his selection choices will be under the microscope from the very first whistle. This recent Ibrox Noise piece has already highlighted the size of the challenge Rangers are facing and how vital it will be to hit the ground running.

Rangers supporters will be hoping for a big performance under the Ibrox lights where the team has traditionally found another gear in Europe. The atmosphere will play a massive role and Martin knows just how important it is to get the home leg right. The Ibrox Noise Champions League section provides ongoing analysis and updates as the tie approaches and fans will be glued to every development.

There will also be growing debate over the squad and whether the players currently available are equipped to deal with the physicality and intensity of a European night in this competition. Further discussion on the Ibrox Noise homepage has raised questions about whether Rangers need more summer additions to really compete in this environment. This is a massive moment in the season and the impact of success or failure in this tie could define the direction the campaign takes.

For an external breakdown of the draw and the reaction from both camps TalkSPORT have offered this insight into how the fixture is being viewed across Europe.