As daunting as Sunday’s Old Firm derby may be – Celtic already 16 points clear at the summit – Rangers have already proven they are capable of pulling big away wins out of the bag.
Even Jose Mourinho admitted Rangers were good value over in Istanbul.
Cyriel Dessers opening the scoring right from the off while Vaclav Cerny’s two goals were just as integral to a thrilling Europa League round-of-16 triumph as Jack Butland’s two penalty saves during the return leg.
It’s debatable really whether this Fenerbahce side was stronger than the Celtic team Rangers will face at Parkhead.
What is certain, however, is that it will require a similar sort of performance.
Fenerbahce had 23 shots and 65 per cent of the possession at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Rangers ripping into the Turkish giants on the counter-attack. Barry Ferguson’s shift to a 3-4-2-1 formation certainly helped.
With Dessers battling away up top, Cerny and Mohamed Diomande were positioned a little higher and a little more centrally. Thus, giving Rangers a tight-knit triangle of attackers capable of pressing from the front and running into space.
Kris Boyd thinks Rangers trio could be Barry Ferguson’s best bet at Celtic
Kris Boyd does have concerns about Rangers’ wing-backs up against Celtic.
He feels that Nicolas Kuhn, Jota and especially Daizen Maeda could have a field day if Ridvan Yilmaz and Jefte – presuming they are the two given the nod by Ferguson – leave gaps in behind.
At the other end, however, the Dessers – Cerny – Diomande triumvirate should ensure that Rangers both pose a considerable threat in transition while keeping their number nine from being isolated up against Cameron Carter-Vickers and Austin Trusty.
“I thought Rangers really struggled in that formation to get out [on Thursday at Ibrox]. Whereas, away form home, you would imagine it will be the exact same,” Boyd says. “Celtic will have a lot of the ball and Rangers will look to hit on the counter-attack.
“What worked so well for Rangers in Istanbul was the fact that Cerny and Diomande, they were closer to Dessers.
“We’ve all been there when you’re alone up front. The ball is launched forward, you are trying to take three or four touches to bring your team-mates into it.
“In terms of Cerny and Diomande, there was more of a chance for them to get in contact [with Dessers]. Rangers were able to get three or four in the attack as quick as they possibly could. I would imagine Rangers will do the same at Celtic Park but it’s not going to be easy.”
Barry Ferguson urges Rangers to play for ‘pride’ at Parkhead
Dessers and Cerny now have 39 goals between them. Diomande is nowhere near as prolific but it was his excellent work off the ball which forced the error in the build up to Dessers’ sixth minute opener in Turkey.
Diomande is also more effective as a creator than he is a runner or a battler. As such, he mercurial Ivorian looks well placed to benefit with Connor Barron and Nico Raskin doing the dirty work behind him.
“In my opinion, there’s still a lot to play for [domestically] in terms of your pride,” Ferguson said during his Friday press conference. “We’ve got some huge games coming up, some really tough games.
“Obviously, the one on Sunday, you don’t get much tougher. But as a footballer, these are the games you’ve got to look forward to. As a manager, I can’t wait to go and sample it for the first time on the touchline.
“That’ll be interesting.”
