Panathinaikos Hero Vyntra Looking Forward

Derby-day hero Loukas Vyntra is understandably happy with the rhythmic chanting of his name by Panathinaikos fans after his unprecedented double inspired his side to a 3-0 win over PAOK at the weekend.

Speaking to Greek newspaper Sportday, the centre-back spoke about his delight at having helped his team to a crucial victory that keeps alive their title challenge.

The win on Sunday moved Henk Ten Cate’s team into second place and it was Vyntra’s first league goals of the season that grabbed headlines.

“I am extremely happy to have scored my first two league goals,” Vyntra said. “And my pleasure was greater because I scored two goals in a derby that helped my team to win.

“But it doesn’t change anything for me.”

However, despite having had his name chanted by fans because of his heroics at the weekend, there was a time when Vyntra was made something of a scapegoat by Panathinaikos supporters for the failures of past sides.

Under his new Dutch manager though, the 28-year-old has improved enough at centre-back this season enough to warrant a place in Otto Rehhagel’s Greece set-up.

But the former Paniliakos man insists that he has moved on from any previous tension with fans.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Vyntra said. “Those things have passed.

“I am looking forward.”

It is perhaps a wise plan considering Spanish Primera Divison outfit Villarreal await Pana in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League on February 25, followed by a crucial derby clash with Olympiakos a few days later.

It will be a season-defining week for the Athenian club, though Vyntra insists the focus will be more immediate.

He said, “I don’t like setting targets; I don’t look that far ahead.

“I look at each game separately, all of the matches are hard now and I am looking to the next one against Iraklis.”

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com