Panathinaikos gaffer Rui Vitoria has told Rangers supporters they partied too early in Glasgow after the first leg
14:31, 29 Jul 2025Updated 17:35, 29 Jul 2025
Panathinaikos gaffer Rui Vitoria has warned Rangers fans they partied too early at Ibrox – as he plans to end their Champions League hopes.
The Portuguese boss believes his side can overturn a 2-0 deficit from Glasgow in Athens tomorrow night.
Despite creating chances in the first-leg, Panathinaikos failed to take them as Russell Martin earned a vital victory in his first competitive game in charge.
It allowed Rangers to put one foot in the next round but Vitoria is adamant the tie isn’t over.
He accepts that Ibrox punters were delighted with the win – but believes their over-confidence might come back to bite Martin’s men.
When asked if he’d noticed Rangers celebrating at the end – and if he had a message for the Panathinaikos fans – Vitoria said: “Good question. Of course, it was a result that gave pleasure and satisfaction to Rangers.
“But you should never forget there is a second match coming up.
“It’s normal for their fans to be happy with the result.
“Tomorrow, we’ll do our best because we’re looking forward to qualification.
“Rangers are a good team but so are Panathinaikos.
Rangers head for Panathinaikos with a two goal lead
“We’ll have more than 40,000 fans behind us. They will give us confidence and we think we can still go through.
“We have to be together and more united than ever.
“We had a nice atmosphere in Glasgow but, believe me, it will be a hot atmosphere in Athens.
“Our rivals will understand that it’s not easy to play here – not for Rangers or anyone.”
Vitoria insists home advantage will be crucial for the Greek outfit tomorrow night at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.
He has urged his side to get a grip of the game early and put Rangers on the back foot.
And he’s convinced that if they can score the critical first goal – Panathinaikos can go on to win the tie.
Rangers’ John Souttar and Panathinaikos’ Fotis Ioannidis battle it out for the ball at Ibrox
The former Benfica, Spartak Moscow and Egypt coach said: “We have to read the game and, of course, we’re looking for a quick goal.
“But if you do this without being concentrated, that can be a mistake.
“What’s important is not to let our rivals take the initiative in the game.
“We have to create that and know exactly what to expect from Rangers.
“We know what we have to do – be confident and concentrated during the 90 minutes.
“We’re playing in our own ground with our fans helping us.
“Tomorrow is another final for us and we have to be ready to succeed.
“We had so many chances in Glasgow but couldn’t score. Rangers had less but scored two goals. We were punished.
“We’re playing a team with a lot of quality but the first game left us with a bitter taste in our mouths.
“But if we’re confident on Wednesday and believe in our plan, we can succeed.
“The most important thing is to score the first goal.
“If we do that, the second and third will come too.”
Panathinaikos’ Giorgos Vagiannidis fouls Rangers’ Findlay Curtis which results in a second yellow card and a red card(Image: SNS Group)
Panathinaikos aren’t expected to make many changes, with only suspended right-back Georgios Vagiannidis missing after his Ibrox red card.
Vitoria doesn’t envisage his opposition number Martin ripping up his philosophy either in Athens – unless Rangers find themselves behind.
He said: “Rangers will play the same way as in Glasgow, I don’t expect the coach to make any transformations.
“Everything will depend on how much pressure we put them under.
“The coach will respect the same principles as the first game.
“But if they’re losing the game, he might make changes. We’ll be ready and prepared for that.
“The players I will use know exactly what they need to do.
“We’re prepared, we have a plan – and we can do it.”