Findlay Curtis gets congratulations from Sir Alex Ferguson
Teenager Findlay Curtis got the Sir Alex Ferguson seal of approval after scoring his first Rangers goal against Panathinaikos on Tuesday night to cap a momentous occasion.
It was an emotional evening at Ibrox for the Curtis family after the 18-year-old academy product was given the nod by Russell Martin in his first game as Gers boss.
After a tough first half for the hosts in the second round of Champions League qualifying, with former Manchester United manager and ex-Rangers striker Ferguson watching from the directors' box, the young Light Blues attacker fired in from outside the box in the 52nd minute to turn the first-leg tie.
Greece right-back Georgios Vagiannidis was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Curtis six minutes later before debutant Djeidi Gassama added a second in the 78th minute from 20 yards to increase his side's advantage going into next week's return game in Athens.
"I was speechless," said man-of-the-match Curtis of his goal. "Just absolutely delighted.
"I've been here since I was six years old and I'm just delighted obviously, winning 2-0 and taking it over to Athens, even though it's just halfway in the tie.
"He (Ferguson) just congratulated me on my goal. Coming from a legend like him, I'll take it.
"Obviously, it's another dream come true, playing in the Champions League qualifier for this club.
"I found out I was starting on Monday morning when the manager named the team.
"I texted my mum and dad, told them and they started crying. It was a good family moment.
"My mum and dad were both at the game, so were my girlfriend, her parents, my brother and sister and all my pals were there.
"They (parents) drove me for 12 years down to Murray Park (training ground), down to Ibrox. All that credit goes to them.
"They waited after the game and I saw them. I could see my mum crying in the stands. It was a good moment."
After such an unforgettable evening, Curtis aims to pin down a regular first-team place this season.
He said: "At the goal, I think the first touch was the best part about it. Taking that touch , skinning the defender and putting it in the corner.
"That gave me the confidence boost to take the defenders on. The one for the red card, I took a touch inside and he got sent off.
"It's now just about working hard and putting in the performances the manager wants.
"Obviously football is a difficult sport. It's about pushing people out of the way. I'm here to do that.
"There's a lot of competition in that dressing room, so I'll work my hardest to start games.
"It's down to the manager. Whoever the manager picks to start games, whether it's Saturday (friendly against Middlesbrough) or the (second) game against Panathinaikos, I'll just work my hardest and tune in, and hopefully perform."
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