There were certainly a couple of Rangers stars with a point to prove ahead of Thursday’s Europa League last-16 clash with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.
It was only a few days ago – when Barry Ferguson’s team suffered a third successive home defeat at the hands of Motherwell – that sections of the Rangers support were arguing for Jack Butland to be dropped in favour of Liam Kelly.
Spilling the ball at the feet of Luke Armstrong just nine minutes in, and only a month after his calamitous own goal at Old Trafford, would the goalkeeper benefit from some time out of the spotlight.
As for Nico Raskin, the Belgian had been arguably Rangers’ stand-out performer since the beginning of December. Yet, his influence had waned in recent weeks the Gers’ midfield had found themselves overrun and overworked.
Yet, as Rangers stunned Fenerbahce on their own Sukru Saracoglu turf, if the duo had a point to prove, then prove it they most certainly did.
- READ MORE: Rangers Europa League Record Since 2017
Ally McCoist praises Jack Butland and Nico Raskin as Rangers beat Fenerbahce
Raskin was truly brilliant in the centre of the park. The former Standard Liege ace has often saved his best Rangers performances for the European stage and this was a continuation of his stand-out performances in the first phase.
With Fenerbahce missing the battling influence of Fred, Raskin dominated proceedings in a midfield trio alongside Mohamed Diomande and the returning Connor Barron. He even assisted Vaclav Cerny’s second of the night as Rangers secured a 3-1 win to take into the home leg next week.
It was, as Rangers legend Ally McCoist would say during co-commentary duties for TNT Sport, an ‘unbelievable’ display.
As for the aforementioned Butland, the experienced goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Alexander Djiku from cancelling out Cyriel Dessers’ early opener in Istanbul. He did roll back the years to deny Allan Saint-Maximin late on, however, as Rangers successfully protected their two-goal lead given to them by Cerny’s well-taken brace.
“What a save from Butland. Fantastic save. Wee Barry should be and he will be extremely proud of those boys,” McCoist beamed while turning his attention to an all-action cameo performances from Ianis Hagi.
Ferguson dropped the talented Romanian in order to bring Barron into the XI and set up Rangers in a three-man midfield capable of knocking a gifted Fenerbahce outfit out of their rythym.
The plan worked to a tee, with Hagi’s 75th minute introduction providing an injection of energy when the visitors needed it the most.
“What Ianis Hagi will give you, in possession in particular, he’s very, very good,” McCoist added. “It’s been non-stop. What a game of football!”
Barry Ferguson delighted to beat Jose Mourinho in Turkey
On a glorious night for former Rangers skipper Ferguson, his team barely put a foot wrong. They still have one obstacle to overcome when Fenerbahce travel to Ibrox for the second leg, but a place in the Europa League quarter-finals is now tantalisingly within reach.
“The commitment, the desire, at times some the football we played was very good,” a breathless Ferguson said at full-time.”We’ve got to remember, it’s only half-time in the tie because Fenerbahce have got one of the best managers that’s ever been
“[But] I’m proud of the boys because they’ve come through a lot this season. They deserve a lot of credit. We need to be ready for next Thursday and, I tell you something, I’ll have them ready.”
“I wouldn’t say I outfoxed [Mourinho]. We went a way that I thought would get us a result and we only spent an hour on it. They took the information on and delivered a performance to be proud of.
“Ibrox has been a bit of a problem, but we’ll enjoy tonight and then try to fix that problem.”
