Rangers are set to do battle with Fenerbahce for a place in the Europa League Quarter Finals and Barry Ferguson might be wondering how he got here.
The interim Rangers manager’s last game on the touchline before a heroic return to Ibrox was a 3-1 Alloa Athletic defeat at home to East Fife in February 2022.
Fast forward little over three years and Ferguson was the tactical mastermind behind a 3-1 victory against Fenerbahce that has Rangers fans dreaming of Europa League glory.
Jose Mourinho has warned Rangers that the tie is not over and Barry Ferguson has been around the block long enough himself to know that there is a still job to do in Glasgow.
But the starting XI Ferguson selects at Ibrox could prove definitive if the club’s last treble-winning captain has any hope of securing the job full-time.
Rangers predicted XI v Fenerbahce
The Rangers squad was spotted at Auchenhowie being put through their paces ahead of the Fenerbahce clash.
Allan McGregor’s coaching of Jack Butland and Liam Kelly stood out with the former England number one expected to retain his spot between the sticks.
Jose Mourinho singled out Butland for his heroics in Istanbul and the Rangers goalkeeper will need to earn his keep if the Gers are to progress in Europe.
Barry Ferguson has hinted at yet more tactical tweaks following the decision to go three at the back in Turkey. We suspect the Rangers manager might revert to type in Glasgow.
We’re backing James Tavernier to captain the Rangers team from right-back, with Leon Balogun and John Souttar given the nod at centre-back despite Robin Propper training ahead of the game.
Whether to start Ridvan Yilmaz or Jefte is a big call at left-back and despite the temptation to start the young Turk against his compatriots, we’re backing the Brazilian to get the call.
In midfield, Mohamed Diomande exuded class against Fenerbahce in the first leg and is a shoo-in to start alongside the impressive Nicolas Raskin in Glasgow.
Perhaps both players will need to heed Ferguson’s advice about employing the dark arts to help Rangers to victory against Fenerbahce.
Mourinho reckons things will be different with Fred in the middle of the park and the Brazilian will test that theory after being recalled to the squad following suspension.
Tom Lawrence is an experienced campaigner who has come up big for Rangers on European nights before, with the Welshman set to secure that number 10 role.
Ianis Hagi was sacrificed for Connor Barron in the midfield three in the first leg but we reckon the Romanian – who is the son of Galatasaray legend Gheorghe Hagi – will start on the left at Ibrox.
Mourinho praised Vaclav Cerny and Cyriel Dessers in the pre-match and both players were crucial to the victory in Fenerbahce.
They’re both nailed on to start in the right-wing berth and number nine position respectively.
Barry Ferguson dismisses Rangers manager talk
Barry Ferguson refused to be drawn on questions surrounding his own Rangers future ahead of the Europa League clash with Fenerbahce.
Progress is being made on the proposed US Rangers takeover at Ibrox with the club’s new manager role a hotly debated subject amongst supporters.
But whilst victory over Fenerbahce and progress in the Europa League would certainly boost Fergie’s chances, the interim Rangers manager’s focus is squarely on getting a result at Ibrox.
”If I’m being honest, I’m not even thinking about it,” explained Ferguson when asked about the Rangers manager’s job.
“I’ve been brought in here for three months and that’s my firm focus, this three months. Got off to a good start, really good start, apart from the first 20 minutes.
“Motherwell, nowhere near good enough. Last week, very good, but I think we can be better. And then I need to continue that, but I’m not thinking ahead, with which I’ve seen loads of people talk about things.
“I have got a job to do here and that’s to make sure that I get a Rangers team winning on a more consistent basis. That’s my thought process.”
