SURVIVING THE ACROPOLIS

Gers keep cool in Athens heat to edge closer to promised land

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IN one of the world's oldest cities, a Rangers team in its infancy started to come of age.

Russell Martin's side produced a mature performance to see off Panathinaikos in Athens - and move a step closer to the Champions League group phase.

Djeidi Gassama’s second-half leveller was enough to earn Gers a draw against the Greeks and secure an aggregate victory.

Rangers now face Viktoria Plzen in the third qualifying round next week. For new gaffer Martin, it was a huge result so early in his Ibrox reign.

His side were under the cosh at times in the Olympic Stadium.

But just nine miles from the Acropolis, it was Rui Vitoria's men whose Euro hopes were left in ruins.

Gassama made a crucial contribution again, just as he did in the Ibrox first leg.

Moments after Filip Duricic's 53rd-minute header for Pana, the Frenchman came off the bench and buried a chance to equalise - and silence the Athens crowd.

GAS FIRE

Has a player ever become more of a fans' favourite so early in their Ibrox career as Gassama?

The French winger has only been at Rangers a couple of weeks and he's already wowed supporters with two stunning goals in Europe.

Gassama made an immediate impact in the first leg in Glasgow, coming off the bench to produce a terrific finish that put Rangers 2-0 up.