Russell Martin last night savoured securing group European stage football in his first season at Rangers — but urged his players not to settle for anything other than the Champions League.
A 1-1 draw away to Panathinaikos came courtesy of Djeidi Gassama’s stunning equaliser which saw the Scots progress 3-1 on aggregate.
Rangers now face Viktoria Plzen in the third qualifying round with the first leg set to take place at Ibrox on Tuesday after the Czechs beat Servette 3-2 on aggregate.
Last night’s result means Rangers now have a worst-case scenario of participating in the UEFA Conference League.
Asked if it was incumbent on his side to now aim for the bright lights of UEFA’s top tournament, however, Martin said: ‘Yeah, I think my job as head coach here is to always want more from the players.
‘So, I’m really pleased with tonight that we qualified, but I have to want more in terms of the performance and what we’re doing. We have to be better and we will get better, I really believe that.
The Rangers players celebrated with the travelling fans after a draining night in Athens
John Souttar was a standout at the back for Russell Martin as the hosts piled on the pressure
Djeidi Gassama came on to net for the second time in as many weeks against the Greeks
‘We’re here at a football club that demands we try and win every game we play in. It’s part of the reason why we’re all here, so we will give it our very best shot and attack it as best we can and see where it takes us.’
Martin was frustrated with aspects of his side’s play, but believed they passed a huge test of character after falling behind to Filip Djuricic’s header early in the second half.
‘I’m incredibly proud of them,’ he added. ‘The team, the staff, the fans were amazing, so it’s a big night for us.
‘Listen, we’re playing against a really good team, in a really difficult place to play. Over the two games, they’ve been very good, they are a very well coached team.
‘It’s probably as tough a draw as we could have had. So, they are going to have moments.
‘At half-time they had to compose themselves and they did exactly what I asked of them — they stuck together, they fought, they dug in, and in the second half we played some really good football as well.
‘But we’ll get better and they’ll grow so much from that. I said to the players before the game that they had an opportunity not many people get to have on nights like this and to make the most of it. I’m really proud of them.’
Asked what he felt the result would do for the squad in terms of their learning process, Martin said: ‘From a psychological and spirit and energy point of view, they’ll have so much they should take so much from tonight.
Jack Butland made a vital stop to deny Panathinaikos forward Facundo Pellistri in the first half
‘And also tactically and technically with the detail that we were asking from them, the second half was so much better.
‘There’s still a few mistakes and the pitch was tough at times for them, but they really stuck to it and showed big courage and composure.’
Gassama, who scored in the first leg in Glasgow, is fast becoming a fans’ favourite following his move from Sheffield Wednesday.
Asked how big a decision it was not to start the winger, Martin said: ‘Listen, it is a tough call to leave anyone out of the team, especially when someone had such an impact on the bench.
‘But we went for consistency, players that played together more. Gas is still catching up for sure. He knows what we think of him, he also knows he has to be patient.
‘He’s more ready to start now than he has been before tonight, so I’m pleased with him.’
