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Rangers players head to Athens amid transfer uncertainty

Rangers expect to lose several players as they prepare for their Champions League tie against Panathinaikos.

July 29, 2025 at 09:40 AM

Martin already requires miracle as Rangers players jet out to Athens

Rangers encounter challenges with player exits and squad depth as their season begins.

Rangers face difficult decisions as players head to Athens

Rangers prepare for their critical second leg against Panathinaikos while grappling with potential exits from several players. As they aim to solidify their position in the Champions League, Russell Martin's squad must navigate a transitional phase filled with uncertainty. Despite a promising start with a 2-0 win in the first leg, the team's future remains unclear as key players like Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane are rumored to depart alongside underperformers like Kieran Dowell. Journalist Scott McDermott pointedly remarked on the team’s precarious forward line, suggesting that pulling off a win in Athens would require a minor miracle from Martin. The looming decisions on player retention could greatly impact Rangers' ambitions, posing the question of whether they can maintain competitiveness without sacrificing promising reinforcements.

Key Takeaways

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Rangers are facing potential player exits ahead of the new season.

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Russell Martin's squad is complex with both deadwood and new signings.

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Their success against Panathinaikos could define their season.

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Kieran Dowell is among underperformers likely to be offloaded soon.

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The team needs to make tough decisions on player retention versus replacement.

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A strong performance in Athens is crucial to maintain competitive momentum.

"If you’d told Ibrox punters they’d kick off their Euro campaign with a forward line of Kieran Dowell, Danilo and Findlay Curtis, they wouldn’t just have laughed in your face."

Scott McDermott highlights the surprising state of Rangers' current squad as they head into their European campaign.

"He actually deserves huge credit for pulling off a result."

McDermott notes that Russell Martin should be recognized for managing a challenging team composition amid player uncertainties.

"Rangers have developed a knack for keeping fringe players and giving them too many chances in recent seasons."

The author critiques the club's tendency to retain underperforming players, which could hinder their success.

"If Gers are stuck with a player of his limited quality next season, they can wave goodbye to their chances of catching Celtic."

McDermott underscores the risks of retaining struggling players like Kieran Dowell in a competitive league.

The current situation for Rangers exemplifies the intricate balance between team performance and player management. With several players at risk of leaving, the club must either invest in effective replacements or decide to keep low-performing individuals like Dowell. McDermott's comments highlight the potential pitfalls of retaining fringe players, suggesting that inaction might lead to missed opportunities to close the gap with rivals like Celtic. As they head into a crucial match, Rangers must weigh immediate needs against long-term strategy, raising critical questions about the direction of the club this season.