These two clubs have met four times to date, first doing so in the Champions League group stages 22 years ago, drawing 1-1 in Athens, before Panathinaikos were 3-1 winners in Glasgow.
Then, in the third round of the UEFA Cup in 2007/08, they drew 0-0 at Ibrox and 1-1 at Leoforos Alexandras Stadium as the Gers progressed on away goals, en route to the final in Manchester.
In total, Rangers have only ever won one of nine encounters with Greek opposition, most recently drawing with Olympiacos in Piraeus in November, that sole victory coming over PAOK in 1998.
Rangers vs Panathinaikos preview
Between them, these two clubs have been domestic champions on 75 occasions, but for one, their Champions League dream will come to an end in July, making this a season-defining tie for both.
It's been all change at Rangers this summer, with this set to be Russell Martin's first match in charge, and the start of the new ownership-era too. The Light Blues finished a whopping 17 points below Premiership champions Celtic last season, enduring a trophyless campaign, so Martin is under immediate pressure to deliver better. Despite their domestic troubles, the Gers continue to punch above their weight on the continent. Under interim boss Barry Ferguson, they reached last season's Europa League quarter-finals, which means, since 2020, the Gers have appeared in, at least, the Europa League last 16 on five occasions, including getting all the way to the final three years ago.
Nevertheless, supporters will feel the Champions League is where they belong. The Light Blues have only qualified for Europe's premier competition's group stages once since 2010, catastrophically dumped out by Dynamo Kyiv in qualifying 12 months ago. Victory in this tie is so crucial because, not only does it keep their Champions League dreams alive, it'll guarantee, at worst, their place in the Europa League. Defeat meantime could see them end up in the Conference League, or possibly out of European competition all together come the end of August. So, ahead of next Wednesday's trip to the Spyros Louis Olympic Stadium, it's vital that Rangers establish a first leg advantage.
As for Panathinaikos, they're looking to rediscover former glories, having not won a Greek Super League title since 2010, the same year they last featured in the Champions League group phase. Since then, they've fallen in qualifying on five occasions, most recently dumping out Olympique de Marseille on penalties two years ago, before being eliminated in the play-off round by Braga. 12 months ago, they Shamrocks sprung a real surprise by ousting Lens from Conference League qualifying, reaching the tournament's round of 16, before a 5-4 aggregate defeat to Fiorentina.
Now, following last season's second place finish in Greece, Rui Vitória's team will get another shot at the Champions League. Panathinaikos have won their last four European home games, scoring ten goals and conceding just two, so would probably settle for a draw at Ibrox. The winner of this tie will face either Viktoria Plzeň or Servette in the third qualifying round, with the losers dropping into Europa League qualifying where they'll run into either Shakhtar Donetsk or Beşiktaş, so will there be a winner in Glasgow?
Rangers vs Panathinaikos head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 4.
- Rangers Wins: Zero. Draws: 3. Panathinaikos Wins: 1.
Rangers team news
Rangers have made seven new signings so far this summer, but two of them, namely Thelo Aasgaard and Djeidi Gassama, are unlikely to feature here just yet due to injury. There could however be debuts for Max Aarons, Emmanuel Fernandez, Nasser Djiga, Lyall Cameron and Joe Rothwell.
Meantime, Robin Pröpper, Ben Davies, José Cifuentes, Ross McCausland, Rabbi Matondo and Rıdvan Yılmaz are amongst those who were not included in the squad submitted to UEFA last Thursday.
In goal, it'll be interesting to see if Jack Butland or Liam Kelly is viewed as Russell Martin's number one, after interim manager Barry Ferguson chopped and changed between the pair last season. Lastly, in attack, strikers Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane have both been on the brink of departing earlier this summer, but the pair are still here, and will be key to their chances in this tie.
Rangers predicted lineup vs Panathinaikos: (4-2-3-1): Butland; Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Jefté; Raskin, Diomandé, Barron, Bajrami, Igamane; Dessers.
Rangers player to watch vs Panathinaikos
During his first season at Rangers, Hamza Igamane scored 16 times in all competitions, including four in the Europa League, so can he fire them through to the next round in Champions League qualifying?
Panathinaikos team news
Meantime, Rui Vitória could pick four new signings; goalkeeper Alban Lafont, defenders Ahmed Touba and Giorgos Kyriakopoulos as well as midfielder Pedro Chirivella are all hoping to debut.
Facundo Pellistri, once of Manchester United, scored during last week's friendly against Westerlo, while forgotten USMNT international Erik Palmer-Brown will start at the heart of defence.
Panathinaikos predicted lineup vs Rangers: (4-3-3): Drągowski; Vagiannidis, Palmer-Brown, Touba, Kyriakopoulos; Chirivella, Gnezda Čerin, Bakasetas; Pellistri, Ioannidis, Đuričić.
Panathinaikos player to watch vs Rangers
Star midfielder Anastasios Bakasetas has scored 11 times in 59 appearances for Panathinaikos, to add to his 17 international goals for Greece, and he'll be key to their chances in Glasgow.
Rangers vs Panathinaikos prediction
We are backing Rangers to make home advantage count on Tuesday, establishing a narrow lead at Ibrox, but leaving this tie perfectly poised ahead of the return leg: Rangers 2-1 Panathinaikos.
Rangers vs Panathinaikos FAQs - UEFA Champions League qualifier
How to watch Rangers vs Panathinaikos Champions League game on TV channel?
Rangers vs Panathinaikos Champions League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Premier Sports 1
- USA: Rangers TV.
- Canada: Rangers TV.
How to watch Rangers vs Panathinaikos Champions League game on live streaming?
Rangers vs Panathinaikos Champions League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Premier Sports Player
- USA: Rangers TV.
- Canada: Rangers TV.
What is the date and kick-off time for Rangers vs Panathinaikos in the Champions League?
Rangers vs Panathinaikos takes place on Tuesday 22 July 2025, with kick off at 19:45 (BST), 14:45 (EDT) & 11:45 (PDT).