Graeme Souness was a disappointed spectator as Rangers lost to Motherwell.
The club great took in his former player Barry Ferguson’s first game as manager at Gers’ home and watched on in horror as they fell two goals behind, and couldn’t recover as they had done at Kilmarnock midweek.
Ferguson insisted post-match he still has a plan to improve the club’s ailing fortunes, but it doesn’t get any easier with a trip to face Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in Istanbul in the Europa League coming up on Thursday.
Souness, who recommened Frank Lampard for the Rangers job instead of Philippe Clement, knows all too well the hostility they will face after a spell as Galatasaray manager in the 90s.
The Gers and Liverpool legend came close to starting a riot when he marched into the centre circle at Fener’s home ground and planted a big Galatasaray flag in the grass, after beating them in a cup final.
It’s an infamous moment the he is now always associated with and for that reason he will not be in attendance at two games in a row.
Souness not welcome at Fenerbahce vs Rangers
Souness told the Scottish Sun: “I wouldn’t be going there.
“I’m going to try and get to the home game, but I wouldn’t be too welcome inside Fenerbahce’s stadium.
“I’ve played in lots of big derbies. And the most ferocious one, the most passionate one, is still the Old Firm game.
“So for the players, it’ll be like an Old Firm game in terms of atmosphere.
“And they’ll have to deal with it.
“Unfortunately Barry’s not playing. It’s more about how the players face that challenge.”
Souness’ take on 49ers Rangers deal
A deal for a consortium involving 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, to buy a controlling stake in Rangers is now believed to be very close.
It is being reported an agreement is in place with 51 per cent of the shareholding identified and set to be bought up by the group, worth £11billion.
Souness has welcomed the news but also insists it’s not something to be getting carried away over.
“It’s a very different story now,” he admitted.
“It’s a very different football club to the one I worked at. We had lots of funds to work with.
“Rangers haven’t had that in their recent history. Hopefully that’s about to change. I obviously want to see Rangers be successful.
“And I think if someone came in and had the financial capability to go out and buy better players, that can only be good news.
“It doesn’t guarantee anything, but it would be good news.”
