Rangers domestic season might be over, however, the Europa League provides at least some respite and the chance to keep things interesting for while with Fenerbahce in the way of a place in the quarter-finals.
Jose Mourinho was dismissive of Philippe Clement as Rangers manager, suggesting that Barry Ferguson is going to provide a stiffer test in the dugout.
With an almost fully fit Rangers squad, this is who Ferguson has picked to face an experienced Fenerbahce side.
Fenerbahce vs Rangers confirmed team news
The defence has been a major reason why Clement lost his job, why three games in a row have been lost at Ibrox and why four goals were needed to see off Kilmarnock.
Jack Butland was culpable against Motherwell, but he remains Rangers best keeper, with most of the problems coming from those in front of him.
Ferguson was sweating on the fitness of John Souttar and Leon Balogun and, with nothing else on the line, it isn’t a surprised to see the the former brought back in.
Robin Propper keeps his place, but both are experienced to know what is expected and have provided a settled pairing in the past at this level.
The full-backs will have to defend better than they have recently with Jefte and James Tavernier both being guilty of lapses in concentration domestically, any more against Fenerbahce and the tie could be out of reach before kick-off at Ibrox in a week’s time.
Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande have looked desperately short of help in recent weeks and it is one area of the park that Clement used to tinker with in the Europa League to good effect.
Diomande will play higher up and Raskin will be joined by Connor Barron.
A dream return to Turkey for Ianis Hagi?
The front three is Ridvan Yilmaz, Vaclav Cerny and Cyriel Dessers which is a new look attack and one that is obviously designed to give width and provide pace on the counter attack.
Ianis Hagi will be be gutted to miss out and will be motivated to do well returning to the city of his birth and the bitter rivals of his old man, it’s also his first European game for Rangers since 2021, if he gets off the bench.
Injury, rehabilitation, a loan spell at Deportivo Alaves and then not being registered explain the lengthy absence.
If ever there was a story to be written…
