
Little: Rangers need new players in quickly ahead of 'tough' qualifier
Andy Little says Rangers need to start getting new players in quickly or risk not being ready for a 'tough' Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos.
Russell Martin's men were drawn against the Greek giants in what will be a first competitive game for the new head coach.
The ex-Rangers forward admits his former side will need to be 'right at it' from day one if they want to keep their hopes of qualifying for the continent's top tournament alive.
Speaking after the draw on Wednesday, Little, who made 89 appearances for the club between 2009 and 2014, said: 'I think it's very tough, it could have been easier, but you've got to start fast. This will be the first competitive game of the season, so they are going to have to be right at it from day one.
'They are at home first as well, so it's not like you can look at the away fixture and grind out a 0-0, as Rangers have done very well in Europe in recent years.
'So let's see how they get on, but right now we are worried about who is going to be on the pitch, never mind how they will get on.
'As players, you want to know who you are playing with, you want to get to know each other in training and I would say that with just under five weeks to that game, you are getting dangerously close to not being ready for it.'
Rangers will be at home for the first leg, meaning they face a daunting task in the summer heat of Athens for the decisive second leg.
But while Little admits they would rather it being the other way around, he insists that their recent record away from home in Europe means they shouldn't be ruled out.
He said: 'The fact that the game in Athens comes second as well, Rangers would much rather go out there and grind out a horrible 0-0 then take it back to Ibrox and turn up and perform.
'They aren't afforded that, so let's see what happens in the first leg. But to go there and have to win, for example, I think would be a seriously difficult task in 40C+ and a sticky pitch, the players aren't going to be used to that.
'It is certainly going to be a tough task, but Rangers have risen to tough tasks in Europe over the last few years, so they will always have a chance.'
Little was in Glasgow promoting Gallus Letting agency.
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