FIN SPARKS GASS ALERT

Curtis and debutant Djeidi get Martin era off to flier

- By Ronnie Esplin

IBROX roared as Russell Martin’s first competitive game as Rangers boss brought an encouraging 2-0 win over 10-man Panathinaikos.

After a decent start from the home side in the first leg of last night’s Champions League second-round qualifier, the Greek outfit bossed the rest of the half and should have been ahead.

However, in the 52nd minute, 18-year-old winger Findlay Curtis opened the scoring with a terrific finish from outside the box, his first goal for the Govan club.

Just six minutes later, Panathinaikos right-back Giorgos Vagiannidis was shown a second yellow card from Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumsas for a foul on Curtis.

There was more joy for the Gers supporters when debutant Djeidi Gassama, the 21-year-old winger signed from Sheffield Wednesday, added a second with a thunderous strike in the 78th minute.