Russell Martin has admitted Rangers summer signing Thelo Aasgaard is "touch and go" to feature against Panathinaikos.
The playmaker picked up a thigh injury during pre-season - in a bounce game against Dunfermline - and is a doubt to take part in the Champions League second qualifying round tie first leg at Ibrox.
Martin did not completely rule Aasgaard out for the first leg and remains hopeful he can overcome a race for fitness ahead of the crucial contest next week.
🎙️ Russell Martin spoke to RangersTV ahead of the start of competitive action at Ibrox on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/AoZUdY4lqP
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 19, 2025
But, the Ibrox boss conceded the fixture might just come too soon as he voiced his hope for Aasgaard to at least be back and ready for the second leg should he be sidelined on Tuesday.
"It's disappointing for him and for us," Martin told Rangers TV.
"He has been everything we thought we were getting and more. Since he has been in he has been incredible.
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"His understanding, his athleticism, the power he has, the technical capability, he really is an exciting player for us.
"Unfortunately, it is a different level of intensity and it has been high demands in pre-season.
"He has picked up a little something so he is going to be touch and go.
"We hope he can be involved but if not then we are really hopeful he will be ready and raring to go for the second one."
RANGERS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Liam Kelly, Kieran Wright
Defenders: Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga, Emmanuel Fernandez, Leon King, John Souttar, James Tavernier, Jefte
Midfielders: Thelo Aasgaard, Nedim Bajrami, Connor Barron, [[Lyall Cameron]], Oscar Cortes, Mohamed Diomande, Kieran Dowell, Robbie Fraser, Djiedi Gassama, Nico Raskin, Joe Rothwell
Forwards: Cyriel Dessers, Josh Gentles, Hamza Igamane, Danilo
