STEVEN NAISMITH did his best to dodge the glass bottles and coins being hurled his way as he went out to warm up.
It was 2008 and Rangers were in Athens for the second leg of their last-32 Uefa Cup clash with Panathinaikos.
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The 16,000-capacity Stadio Apostolos Nikolaidis was packed to the rafters and the atmosphere was as hostile as Naismith can remember.
Yet, in the end, second-half sub Naismith helped Walter Smith’s side defy the animosity to emerge with a 1-1 draw that saw them continue a path which would end with defeat in the final.
Rangers now face the same opposition again in Russell Martin’s first game in charge, with their Champions League qualifier just four weeks away.
That match takes place at the Olympic Stadium, where up to 70,000 home supporters could be hurling abuse at the Ibrox side.
It’s why Naismith insists Martin must sign players with the right mentality as much as the best ability as he overhauls the squad.
Naismith, 38, said: “That game against Panathinaikos was one of the most hostile places ever. It was on the run to the Uefa Cup final.
“I remember Gate 13 where the tunnel is. That’s where the ultras are.
“Naively I was laughing and joking coming out for the warm-up.
“Next minute there were glass bottles, coins, all sorts, getting launched at us.
“Every time you went near the tunnel you had to sprint in and sprint out.
“The night turned out to be really good for us with Nacho Novo scoring to make it 1-1. It was a brilliant environment to play in but very hostile.
“The thing is you can talk about an atmosphere but until you’re in it and experience it, it’s just words. When you do experience it, it’s a case of what way are you going?
“Are you intimidated or do you think it’s good? That’s the real root of whether you’re going to be a success at Rangers or Celtic.
“It’s about mentality. Do you go into that environment and think, ‘I’m up for that, I like a bit of this’, or do you say, ‘Don’t give me the ball because I’m scared’?
“If it’s the latter, you won’t be a success. That can be players with great ability too. For the last 30 years Rangers and Celtic have signed players who are brilliant in other leagues but can’t hack it here.
“It’s down to mentality. That’s been a problem for Rangers. To say players have hidden is unfair. They just can’t hack it.
“Philippe Clement made a point of buying younger players to develop them but younger players rarely have that ability straight away. That’s where they become safe when they’re 1-0 down at home with ten minutes to go. They don’t want to make a brave pass or shoot from a tight angle.”
It is four years since Rangers last won the title but in that time they have reached the Europa League final in 2022 and the quarter-finals last season.
While the clash with Greek giants Panathinaikos has so much riding on it, Naismith insists it’s domestically, in the Premiership, where Martin will be measured most.
He said: “It has to be the first aim. It’s not as clear cut as saying it’s one over the other because Rangers can have both.
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“But what won’t be accepted is what’s happened in previous years where the team has done well in Europe but is ten or 15 points behind in the league. That just won’t wash.
“That’s what has to change. Rangers have to beat the other teams in the league.
“If you look at the points they dropped against teams from the mid to low end of the table it was unacceptable.
“That’s how the gap goes from being four points — where there is still pressure on the team at the top — to that big a gap where it becomes easy and the team at the top can cruise.
“When you look at the teams they could have got in Europe, Panathinaikos is definitely the toughest opposition.
“On top of that you’ve had a takeover, a new manager and a squad rebuild that needs to happen.
“As important as Champions League and European success is, if they missed out on this one but made the next ten then that’s proper success.
“You have to understand where Rangers are.
“Russell coming in will make it an enjoyable place to play but there will be expectations in terms of what he wants.
“The style will change and there will be mistakes within that but over time I’ve got no doubt he’ll be a success.
“It definitely makes things easier as a player when the manager has a clear, definite way of playing.
“Players want simplicity in terms of their role. The style can be complex but as long as the players can understand it then it makes it easier.
“The players who will find it most challenging are defenders because he’ll ask them to do things and be in positions that can be uncomfortable.
“There will be a higher risk because if you’re not in the right position it can be really costly. But every other player will be rubbing their hands because it’s so enjoyable.
“It’s the way you wanted to play football growing up.
“He’s worked on it for five years and has been successful — at every club he’s made them a better team and also improved players.
“The proof is the sale of players he has worked with. They’ve moved on for a profit compared to when he brought them in.”
Steven Naismith was talking courtesy of William Hill and the Warm-Up, SPFL Title Sponsor.
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