Curtis Revels in Dream Euro Debut and Praise from Sir Alex Ferguson

Findlay Curtis, the 18-year-old winger for Rangers, experienced a night to remember in his first European start against Panathinaikos. The young star scored a pivotal goal that set Rangers on their way to a 2-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League second-round qualifier.

A Night of Dreams and Family Pride

Curtis revealed that he was so excited about the match that he struggled to sleep the night before. "My mum came through to me and was like you need to get your sleep," he said. The young player found out he was starting on Tuesday morning when the manager named the team. "I just texted my mum and dad and told them, and they started crying. It was a good family moment," Curtis shared.

Turning the Game Around

The first half was challenging for Curtis and his team as Panathinaikos threatened to spoil Russell Martin's first competitive match in charge. However, after some words of encouragement from his teammates and manager at halftime, Curtis settled down and started to play his game. His opening goal and drawing a foul that led to a red card for Panathinaikos' right-back, Georgios Vagiannidis, were key moments that turned the game in Rangers' favor.

Confidence and Praise

Curtis described his goal, saying, "The first touch was the best part about it. That gave me that confidence boost to obviously take defenders on." His confidence was evident as he played a crucial role in the match. The night was capped off with praise from football legend Sir Alex Ferguson. "He just congratulated me on my goal," Curtis said. "Coming from a legend like that, I'll take it, and obviously, that's another dream come true, playing in the Champions League for this club."

Looking Ahead

With a 2-0 lead, Rangers are now looking forward to the next game in Athens. Curtis and his team are determined to continue their strong performance and secure their place in the next round of the Champions League.

Related Topics

• Scottish Premiership
• Rangers
• Scottish Football
• UEFA Champions League
• Football