A new era at Rangers came on a winning start when Teenager Findlay Curtis and Summer Signing Djeidi Gassama crucial Champions League qualifying goals scored against Panathinaikos.
The excitement bubbled around a sold -out Ibrox when head coach Russell Martin took the lead on his first competitive match, with Nico Raskin just flashed by.
The hosts had goalkeeper Jack Butland to thank for a series of rescues before the 18-year-old Curtis unleashed a stunning attack to send Rangers ahead in the second half.
Georgios Vagiannidis was sent for an awkward challenge on the goal scorer before he made way for Gassama to make a Rangers debut by double their leadership.
The visitors struggled to find their way back in the game and Martin's side take a crucial lead in the second stage in Athens with Vikoria Plzen or Servette awaiting the winners in the third qualifying round.
Martin's regime starts in the victory
The new head coach handed competitive debut to three of his summer signs – Nasser Djiga, Max Aarons and Joe Rothwell – with Curtis also to have made XI in the start in the preseason.
Nicolas Raskin burst ahead early when the fans shot the expectation, but just beyond the far post.
The midfielder then took a yellow card for falsifying Facundo Pellistri, a decision that seemed to cause visitors to life.
Jack Butland finished a smart salvation shortly thereafter, with Nemanja Maksimovic somehow the rebound on the post.
The former keeper of England made an impressive stop to deny Erik Palmer-Brown while the Greek club wanted to spoil the party at Ibrox.
Rangers succeeded in dealing with the pressure and their first shot at the goal came in 36 minutes in the game – Mohamed Diomande focused from 20 meters with Bartlomiej Dragowski who quickly played a major rescue of Danilo's efforts past the post.
Butland again showed his class to deny Maksimovi before Ibrox erupted when Curtis hit the opener home after the keeper had set up the escape.
Panathinaikos seemed to respond with Giorgos Kyriakopoulos who insists a shot high over the top before they were up to 10 when Vagiannidis took a second booking for an awkward challenge on Curtis.
It was then the perfect introduction of Gassama when he replaced the teenager and quickly picked up where he had gone, who made it within a second.
At that time there was no way back for the Greek club when parties replaced the hunters of last season, while Martin wants to win the support of Rangers immediately.
'We will be better for victory'
Ranger's head coach Russell Martin: “I think we will be much better for it.
“We had a few difficult moments early in the first half after a good start, and then a few sticky moments because we played against a really good team with good players and a good coach.
“They have been together for a while, longer than we certainly. I was really proud and really satisfied with the players for the way they came through, and also the crowd, for the way they kept the team through a few difficult moments, which was incredible.
“I think we are much better for tonight as a group.”