Barry Ferguson needed his most experienced players to keep their heads as Rangers’ Europa League last-16 tie with Fenerbahce rumbled on all the way to penalties.
It’s fair to say James Tavernier and Jack Butland delivered the reaction the Rangers legend was looking for.
Not only did Tavernier help hold the fort from his new-look right-sided centre-half position – Fenerbahce, try as they might, could not grab the vital third goal after a brace from Sebastian Szymanski levelled the aggregate at 3-3 – the skipper also rattled home his spot-kick with typical accuracy.
As the man between the sticks, if Jose Mourinho thought Jack Butland was ‘fantastic’ in Istanbul seven days earlier, which adjective would best sum up his display in the return leg?
Stephen Thompson, on commentary duties, opted for ‘phenomenal’.
To think, some Rangers fans were questioning Butland recently, and not without justification. His stellar performances over 210 minutes was, then, the ideal riposte to his critics.
There is life in this old dog yet.
James Tavernier pays Jack Butland tribute as Rangers beat Fenerbahce
Butland made a couple of key saves as Rangers restricted Fenerbahce to just two goals at Ibrox. And, in the shoot-out, he set the hosts on their way by tipping away Dusan Tadic’s opening spot-kick.
Butland played briefly with Fred during their time together at Manchester United in 2023. Presumably, he faced a fair few Fred penalties on the Carrington training pitches because the former Red Devils loanee came out on top against the Brazil international before Mert Hakan Yandas’ wild effort sent Rangers into the Europa League semi-finals.
“The big man pulled off some great saves in the shoot out and throughout the game,” a breathless Tavernier beamed. “We did it the hard way but we made it you can see what it means to the cow, the players, these are the special nights in European football you can’t replace.
“We didn’t actually practice [penalties] this week! Maybe that helped!”
Butland saved Rangers’ skin on numerous times during their Europa League run last season. A run which ended at the last-16 stage against Benfica.
The Glasgow giants will go at least one step further 12 months on, however.
Butland and Barry Ferguson delighted to bring joy back to Ibrox
“When you’re playing in this place, when everything is on the line, it can go against you. But, boy, when thus club is going like this, we are something special,” Butland beams. “I just wanted to put it on for the fans, to get it done. You can’t top this
“We fully believed we were going to get the job done. We were brilliant first half. They scored a fantastic goal [Szymanski’s opener just before the break] but the boys dug in. And these is the rewards you get.
“Over the two legs, the effort we put in, we could have scored more. But I thought we deserved this.”
Ross McCormack feels Barry Ferguson may be in with a shout for the permanent job if he can take Rangers deep into the Europa League while getting a result away at Celtic on Sunday.
One down, then.
“I was delighted with how they finished the game and then you go into penalties and I’m delighted for Jack. He showed his quality,” Ferguson raves, as passionate as ever even after swapping his blue shirt for a smart suit.
“The fans are loving it, these nights are special. I thought the fans stuck behind the players. They need to realise what this club’s all about. They don’t always play well but the one things the fans demand is effort.
“I never practise penalties! I said to the players you decide, I’m not going to decide who’s taking the penalties.
“I know they’re good players but it takes more than a good player at Rangers, that’s something we’re trying to drill into them. Tonight was a big test for them and I think they came through it. It’s easy for your head to go down at 2-0 but they never gave in.”
