Findlay Curtis fired Rangers to victory over Panathinaikos in their Champions League qualifier at Ibrox — and duly earned a pat on the back from Sir Alex Ferguson.
The 19-year-old winger put Rangers 1-0 up shortly after half-time, cutting inside from the left and firing home to score his first goal in senior football.
Substitute Djeidi Gassama made it a 2-0 win for Rangers on the night as new boss Russell Martin made a flying start in front of a raucous home crowd.
Victory over the ten-man Greeks puts Rangers in a commanding position ahead of next week’s return leg in Athens.
Asked about the contribution of young winger Curtis, Martin revealed that Ferguson had spoken to the players in the dressing room at full-time.
‘I think Findlay probably embodied us,’ said the new Ibrox boss. ‘In the first half, he was a bit tense. He was receiving too many balls in positions we don’t want him to.
19-year-old Findlay Curtis fired home from range to net his first senior goal for the club
Substitute Djeidi Gassama enjoyed a dream debut after doubling his side’s advantage
New Rangers boss Russell Martin hailed the performances of his young heroes
‘But he’s so willing and has such a brilliant character and mentality, and that was reflected in the rest of the group as well.
‘I hope it’s the start of something for him. He’s just had words of wisdom from Sir Alex there, I don’t think you can ask for any more than that.
‘He has to keep his feet on the ground. I spoke before the game about why he’s in the team, and I think he has the character and the mentality to play for this club, I really do.
‘He had a sticky first half, like a lot of the guys, and to come through it, take on information at half time, and to run as he does, is brilliant for him.
We have to make sure with Fin that it’s just a start and that he keeps improving and keeps wanting to improve. That’s the best bit about him, is his attitude and his willingness to learn.’
Rangers endured a nervy first half which saw goalkeeper Jack Butland bail them out with a string of excellent saves.
But they were much improved after the break and took the lead through young Curtis.
Panathinaikos were then reduced to ten men when Giorgios Vagiannidis was given a second booking, with Rangers then piling on the pressure.
Moments after coming off the bench, 21-year-old Gassama also cut inside and fired a brilliant effort beyond Bartlomiej Dragowski to make it 2-0.
Martin was pleased his team managed to ride it out and get the win, but believes they will need to step it up again next week.
‘Lots to like, lots to work on, but for a start, it was good,’ he said.
‘We started the game so well, and then after 12 or 13 minutes, we had scary moments when we lost the ball and tried to force things, [there were] too many transitions.
‘For some of the players to feel that tonight, a few moments of difficulty, will help them move forward and improve. Even before the sending off, we were starting to grow.
‘We needed Jack [Butland] a couple of times with a few big moments in the first half and he made a couple of brilliant saves.
‘So it’s half-time. We have to respect that we’re playing against a really good team and they’re going to be ready next week, and we have to be even better than we were tonight, and we will be.
‘It’s so early on, and we will improve from tonight. We will be better for it.
‘I was really proud and really pleased with the players for the way they got through it, and also the crowd, for the way they stuck with the team through a few difficult moments, which was incredible. I think as a group, we’ll be much better for tonight.
‘I’m glad we’ve won rather than lost, but it’s nowhere near finished. Next week will be a different experience for us; it’ll be a different game to tonight.
‘One thing I’m pleased about is we’ll improve from tonight. So, next week’s going to be different, a different game, a different atmosphere, so we have to be ready.’
