Max Aarons: Rangers showed title-winning qualities in Champions League qualifier

Rangers left-back Max Aarons claimed his side showed title-winning qualities during their Champions League success against Panathinaikos.

Russell Martin’s side came through a tough moment in Athens after the hosts finally capitalised on some sustained pressure to halve their aggregate deficit with a 53rd-minute opener.

Substitute Djeidi Gassama levelled on the hour mark – moments after coming off the bench – to net his second goal of the tie and seal a 3-1 aggregate win, which set up a third qualifying-round encounter with Viktoria Plzen.

Aarons, who arrived on loan from Bournemouth this summer, told Rangers TV: “It was extremely difficult, coming to Athens against a team at the top end of their league it is always going to be extremely difficult and then you add the weather in.

“We knew what we were coming into and I think we always knew it was going to be a different game to what it was at Ibrox, and we had to grind it out for sure.

“It is interesting because it is so early on in our time as a group. It is definitely a test and we really came through it.

“I think we grew into the game in the first leg, we grew into the game in this game as well. It is a great test for us and seeing this group can dig in.

“You need to dig in to win leagues, to win cup competitions and get as far as you can.

“You have to look to the side and know everyone is going to battle and I think we definitely showed that, which is really good to see.”