Police 'veto' Rangers friendly as doors to be drawn for crunch closed doors Champions League sharpener

Russell Martin is gearing up for the first leg of a huge European crunch clash

Rangers defeated Hamilton Accies behind closed doors in their final warm-up game before their massive first leg Champions League qualifying clash against Panathinaikos at Ibrox.

And the fixture came after Police Scotland reportedly “vetoed” a game against Scottish Championship outfit Patrick Thistle at Firhill.

The Light Blues were keen to take on ex Celtic star Mark Wilson’s Jags before the match with the Greeks in the second qualifying round of UEFA’s premier competition.

But the Scottish Sun say that cops blocked that idea due to fan fears with Celtic also in action ion Glasgow as they host Newcastle United in a glamour friendly.

Rangers instead face John Rankin’s Accies behind closed doors with Danilo scoring a double in a 2-0 win in what was Russell Martin’s final preparation for their Euro tie and his first competitive game in charge.

New signing Djeidi Gassama featured in the second half after Martin admitted the ex Sheffield Wednesday man isn’t up to full fitness.

He said: "Gassama is a little bit behind. He's not ready to start the game but he's totally different to anything we've got.

“He's unpredictable, he's a fantastic one vs one specialist. He has real individual talent and we are convinced within our team work and our structure he will stand out and create moments that are really brilliant.

“He will be in the squad and definitely ready to go in the second game. First game we might have to manage his minutes."

Martin could also send some fringe men south on Sunday with a Rangers XI taking on English National League outfit Hartlepool United.