Major Rangers Champions League ticket update as Panathinaikos reveal venue for qualifying crunch
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PANATHINAIKOS will confirm tomorrow they will host Rangers at the Olympic Stadium in Athens for their Champions League showdown.
Russell Martin's side face a tough task to get past the Greeks after this week's draw and the first leg will be at Ibrox at the end of next month.
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It's a baptism of fire for Rangers boss Russell Martin
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Chelsea visited the Olympic Stadium
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Fans light up flares and pyrotechnics ahead of the kick off at Panathinaikos
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Panathinaikos' ramshackle ground, Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, is being rebuilt and the club will return back to their spiritual home for the new season.
But it won't be ready in time for their clash with Rangers.
A further complication is Athens' Olympic Stadium is getting roof repairs, but Panathinaikos have received reassurances from the Greek government that work will be delayed until after the game.
With a huge capacity of 65,000, tickets won't be a problem for Rangers fans, with Panathinaikos rarely coming close to selling out in most of their European games.
And Rangers will be reassured to learn their second qualifying round, second leg tie won't be a true home game either for their hosts.
Rangers, meanwhile, are preparing contract talks with top asset Nico Raskin.
New Ibrox boss Russell Martin is determined to build his team around the Belgian midfield dynamo.
The little Belgian is approaching the final two years of his current deal — and a growing number of clubs are looking at him.
He cost £1.75million when arriving from Standard Liege in January 2023 and his value is soaring.
Both sporting director Kevin Thelwell and the Ibrox club's new US owners are determined to construct a far better transfer model.
Ally McCoist confesses to 'horrendous' epic fail ahead of final day of Rangers legend's charity bike ride
And they know there's a need to protect the club's interests while rewarding Raskin with increased terms.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
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