Russell Martin names the tactic Rangers won't use against Panathinaikos amid double injury blow

Russell Martin names the tactic Rangers won't use against Panathinaikos amid double injury blow

The Ibrox boss has insisted he will stick with the "mentality" he has drilled into the squad

Rangers boss Russell Martin (Image: SNS Group)

Russell Martin says Rangers won’t try to sit on a Champions League lead - and vowed to attack in Athens.

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The Ibrox club take on Panathinaikos in the Olympic Stadium tomorrow night with a two-goal advantage from the first-leg in Glasgow.

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Gers will face 40 degree heat and 40,000 fanatical Greek fans but Martin is adamant they’re NOT looking to protect what they have.

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Instead, the Rangers gaffer insists they’ll go for the throats of Rui Vitoria’s side to secure their place in the next qualifying round.

Ahead of the second-leg in Athens, when asked if he would change his approach given their 2-0 lead, Martin said: “No. At this football club you have to try to win every single game.

“That has to be the mentality of our team. I don't believe in going into a game and trying to avoid something.

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“We try to work towards something, rather than work away from it.

“So we'll work hard to try to win the game and we’ll have to be very good to do that.

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“I’m looking forward to it. Obviously, you're trying to work out what the problems might be, what the opposition are doing, what their mentality is, what their approach is, and trying to find solutions quickly for the players.

“But I loved the first game and I hope we can have another really positive night tomorrow.”

Rangers travelled to Greece without injured duo Hamza Igamane and Thelo Aasgaard.

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The Moroccan striker has been linked with a move away from the club this summer, while Gers’ new Norwegian midfielder Aaasgaard is now racing to be fit for Saturday’s Premiership opener against Motherwell.

Martin confirmed Cyriel Dessers IS ready to play as he battles it out with Danilo for a starting slot up front.

Rangers' Hamza Igamane (Image: SNS Group)

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The manager said: “It’s just Thelo and Hamza who are not here.

“They didn't quite make it. That's it, everyone else is here, fit and ready to be involved.

"We're hoping Thelo will be fit for Saturday. We’d been hopeful about this game but he hasn't made it, not through a lack of effort.

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“We have a great medical team and I trust the work he's doing - but we just have to wait and see with Thelo.

“We want him fit, he wants to be fit, but he's not quite there yet.

“It’s so early in the season, to risk him and risk losing him for more games would be crazy. So, we'll make sure he's right.

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“Cyriel started the game on Saturday (v Middlesbrough) and got a valuable 45 minutes in.

“We took him off as a precaution just to make sure, with Hamza's injury as well, that we had plenty of options available. So he's ready.”

Martin has strengthened his squad over the summer since arriving as gaffer but is adamant there’s more work to do.

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Rangers are trying to tie up a deal for young Spurs winger Mikey Moore and the boss admits there are still several areas of the squad which need improvement.

He said: “I’ve said that as soon as anything is done, you'll be the first guys to know.

“There are lots of players we like, lots that we're linked to. He (Moore) is a really good player and if at any point he becomes a Rangers player, we will let you know.

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“We still have a few areas we need to strengthen and put a bit more depth in, for sure.

“Some areas are more obvious than others, but I think we're still looking to add to the squad.

“But they have to be the right ones and definitely in the right areas.”

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