I spared Rangers blushes last time they faced Panathinaikos – here is what they can expect this time
Nacho Novo was the hero last time the two sides face so knows what Rangers can expect this time out
Nacho Novo remembers having a close shave the last time Rangers squared off against Panathinaikos - and not just because his goal spared Walter Smith's side the UEFA Cup chop.
The Ibrox cult hero was the saviour back in 2008 when Gers last visited the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium.
The Spaniard's late equaliser was enough to secure a 1-1 draw on aggregate and nudge the club a step closer to their brush with glory in that year's Manchester final.
After a goalless draw at Ibrox, Smith's men were on the verge of going out when a screamer from defender Ioannis Goumas put the Greeks ahead in the last 32 showdown.
But Novo - sporting a newly cropped barnet - provided the Light Blues with their hair-raising moment nine minutes from the end as he fired home the crucial finish that saw Rangers progress on away goals.
The striker wasn't the only one who had taken a trip to the barbers having been joined by team-mates Barry Ferguson, Allan McGregor Kris Boyd and Charlie Adam for a pre-match trim.
And Rangers' Hair Bear Bunch ensured it was Rangers who made the Euro cut as they scalped the Athens giants.
Novo told Record Sport: 'The thing I remember about that game is that I had a new haircut. A few of us did.
'Me, Fergie, Greegsy, Boydy and Charlie all went to the barbers in the hotel the day before the game and got our hair shaved short.
'I'm not sure what made us do it but we went for it - and it worked! It must have been a good luck omen.
'It was a crucial goal that season because it was the first game in the UEFA Cup after we'd been knocked out of the Champions League - but it meant we could set off on that incredible journey to Manchester.
'We had a lot of possession but their centre-back scored a wonder goal to give them the lead. He turned and hit one from about 20 yards out, right into the top corner.
'We'd created a lot of chances but didn't put them away. However, we kept our patience and got the goal we needed from a great play. Fergie played the ball out to Chris Burke. His cross came to me and I just hit it.'
Novo lapped up his strike with a raise the roof gesture - with Ibrox legend and then assistant boss Ally McCoist the unlikely inspiration!
'It was an amazing night - apart from the celebration,' explained Nacho. "I got some stick for that one but people don't know what it was about.
'I was actually copying Ally McCoist dancing to 50 Cent before the game! He had been jumping out the dressing room throwing his arms in the air, so that one was for Coisty!
'We were a happy camp in those days. You had Coisty and Durranty in those days and they were always making people laugh.'
There's likely to be a more serious mood next month when Russell Martin's side kick off their Champions League quest against the Shamrock.
The new gaffer will see his side host Pana on July 22-23 before the return in the Greek capital a week later.
Novo has warned today's squad they can expect a red-hot reception at the 16,000-capacity Nikolaidis and it's notorious Gate 13 ultras section - and not just because of the expected 30 degree-plus conditions.
He said: 'It was a loud atmosphere the night we played Panathinaikos, even though the ground isn't the biggest. The fans are right on top of you and make a lot of noise.
'I wouldn't say it was the most crazy atmosphere I experienced. That was at Red Star Belgrade, who we faced that season in the Champions League qualifiers. Their fans were so intimidating. But Panathinaikos was a tough place to go.
'It was a narrow pitch and the fans created a good atmosphere. But we never feared those places because we always took a lot of Rangers fans with us. We had our back-up with those guys behind us.'
And Novo reckons Rangers will need that same passionate support this time round as they face the first of three qualifying hurdles that need to be crossed on the way to the league phase.
He added: 'The new manager won't have much time to get his team ready for such a big game. But everybody needs to get behind Russell.
'He's a young manager and will want to do well at Ibrox. He has the hunger you need to succeed at a club like Rangers. Obviously he knows the demands you get at Ibrox because he served here for a short period as a player.
'It will be a tough game but these qualifiers are always tough. That's when you need to show a strong mentality on the pitch. But I think with everybody working together, we can get a positive result.'
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