You know it’s been a good night for Rangers when even Chris Sutton, from underneath his green and white Celtic hat, is willing to fire some praise in their direction.
On another magical European night for those on the blue side of Glasgow, Fenerbahce joined the likes of Porto, Feyenoord, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund as Rangers added another considerable scalp to their continental selection.
Thanks to some clinical finishing from Cyriel Dessers and Vaclav Cerny, a tireless Nico Raskin, the returning John Souttar and as Jack Butland responded to recent criticism with a ‘fantastic’ display between the sticks, Rangers beat Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce 3-1 in Istanbul during the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
The visitors were more than good value as well.
Taking a two goal advantage into next week’s return leg at Ibrox, interim boss Barry Ferguson did his chances of a full-time contract no harm at all as an inspired tactical shift got the better of a man looking to add a sixth European title to his collection.
- READ MORE: Rangers Europa League Record Since 2017
Chris Sutton reacts as Rangers thump Fenerbahce
Ferguson started with Ianis Hagi and Hamza Igamane on the bench. He recalled Connor Barron – a first appearance since the January trip to Manchester United – to form part of a beefed up midfield while allowing Mohamed Diomande to push further forwards and press from the front.
Ridvan Yilmaz excelled in a right-wing-back role too while Cerny, freed up to play a little more centrally than usual, scored with two typically ice-cool finishes as Ferguson’s new-look 3-4-2-1 system worked to a tee.
Before the game, Jose Mourinho spoke about the relationship between him and the Rangers fans. The former Real Madrid boss still gets the occasional ‘thank you’ over two decades after his Porto side broke Celtic hearts in the 2003 UEFA Cup final.
Chris Sutton started for Celtic that day.
And, writing on social media, the former Hoops hero put his allegiances to one side. Well, sort of. The Rangers faithful could not help but notice a certain key word missing from his post-match assessment.
Rangers are, after all, the only Scottish side left in European competition.
“Scottish football showing English football how to play in Europe…,” Sutton writes.
“Rangers football not Scottish football Chris,” one supporter says in return.
“Naw you mean Rangers,” another quips.
“Not Scottish football, just Rangers.”
“Scottish football in Europe? Coulda just said Glasgow Rangers dafty.”
Barry Ferguson delighted with Rangers players
On a night in which Tottenham Hotspur lost 1-0 at AZ Alkmaar and Manchester United were pegged back by Real Sociedad, Rangers were the only member of that British contingent to pick up a first-leg win.
“I thought it was a really good performance from my team,” beams Ferguson, Rangers bouncing back from that 2-1 home reverse to Motherwell in perfect fashion. “They gave me everything that I asked for from the start of the week.
“We went a different way from what we’re used to playing. They took a lot of information in. One thing I’ve got to give them is credit because they took every single thing that me and my coaching staff went over on the training ground.
“I thought tonight, at times, going forward, they looked a real threat. I thought defensively, the guys put their bodies on the line. Overall, it was a brilliant result.
“There’s no way they’re going to be carried away here. This is only half-time in the tie. Fenerbahce are a very good team who I think are one of the favourites to win this competition. Also, they’ve got one of the best managers there’s ever been. They’re going to be hurting. I said that to the players.
“We’ll have a couple of days rest because they worked ever so hard tonight. Then, we’ll get back to work because it’s a big game for us next Thursday. We all know that we’ve struggled this season at times at Ibrox.”
