When Rangers hired Barry Ferguson in the lead up to their Europa League last-16 tie with Fenerbahce, few could have imagined the Ibrox legend outwitting the legendary Jose Mourinho.
Because, as Mourinho himself would explain during his pre-match press conference, Ferguson represents a marked difference from Philippe Clement.
While Clement was a coach obsessed with tactical details and wedded to his ‘philosophy’, a man who has not set foot in a dugout since an unsuccessful spell at Alloa Athletic in 2022 was hired to restore standards and improve the mentality rather than bring about any dramatic tactical shifts.
Yet, as Cyriel Dessers and Vaclav Cerny fired Rangers past Fenerbahce in a stunning 3-1 away win – thus putting the quarter-finals of the Europa League in sight – Mourinho could not help but praise Barry Ferguson and his inspired decision to swap out that 4-3-3 formation for a revamped 3-4-2-1 set-up.
Who benefitted the most from a change in system?
And who, with Ferguson inspiring Rangers’ best performance since the 3-0 thrashing of Celtic two months prior, may now face a challenge forcing their way back into the XI ahead of next week’s return leg at Ibrox.
- READ MORE: Rangers Europa League Record Since 2017
Connor Barron, Mohamed Diomande and Ridvan Yilmaz shine in Rangers win
Winners
Connor Barron
While Nico Raskin was the stand-out performer in Rangers’ midfield on Thursday night, the return of Connor Barron for his first appearance since the trip to Manchester United in late-January was key to creating a numerical superiority in the centre of the park.
Barron had fallen out of favour somewhat even before suffering an injury at Old Trafford. This was only his fourth start since Christmas.
More could, or should, be on the way now. The former Aberdeen enforcer provided vital energy and aggression while allowing Mohamed Diomande to push forward into a more advanced role.
Former Rangers playmaker Scott Arfield described Connor Barron’s performance as ‘phenomenal’.
Mohamed Diomande
While goalscorers Dessers and Cerny will hog most of the limelight, a chance in role clearly had the desired effects with their £4 million teammate.
Barry Ferguson summed it up well when discussing Mohamed Diomande recently. The Ivorian has a ‘bright future’, he said, but still a lot to ‘improve’. Is he a deep-lying playmaker, a box-to-box runner, or more of a number ten?
Perhaps he is something else entirely.
Lining up almost as a left-sided number ten alongside Cerny and behind Dessers, Diomande produced one of his most effective performances in ages. It was his high pressing which helped Dessers open the scoring early on.
Diomande also finished joint-top of the pile for key passes and tackles, while completing 100 per cent of his 39 passes. Has Ferguson finally found his best position?
Ridvan Yilmaz
Former Fenerbahce full-back Ugur Bural argued earlier in the week that Ridvan Yilmaz could be a Rangers weak-link upon his return to Turkey. Especially if he lined up once again on the right.
So, talk about silencing your critics. The one-time Besiktas youngster added yet another string to his ever-growing bow as Yilmaz adapted superbly to an unfamiliar right-sided wing-back role.
Barry Ferguson described Yilmaz as one of Rangers’ most reliable performers pre-match. And it’s fair to say he delivered on such praise. Among the best during Ferguson’s three games in charge and throughout 2025 as a whole, Yilmaz is approaching undroppable status.
“He’s one of the guys after training that will stay behind and work on some weaknesses that maybe we see or he sees in his game,” Ferguson smiled after another typically all-action yet disciplined Ridvan display.
“But, again, I thought he led the line superbly tonight and I was absolutely delighted for him.”
Losers – Hamza Igamane and Nedim Bajrami
Questions have started to be asked of late about two of Rangers’ summer signings. Hamza Igamane is nearly two months without a goal.
The often underwhelming performances of Nedim Bajrami, meanwhile, are leading to more questions than answers regarding his most effective position and where he really fits into this Rangers team.
On the evidence of Thursday night in Turkey, Ferguson may not be rushing to recall either player.
Igamane, introduced in the 87th minute, watched on as Cyriel Dessers provided a goal and an assist in the centre-forward role that belonged to the Moroccan only a few weeks ago. A dip in form was perhaps to expected from Igamane. But that it has coincided with Dessers’ best spell as a Rangers player could see him struggle to get his place back.
As for Bajrami, it is difficult to imagine him replicating the energy of Diomande or the ruthlessness of Cerny if tasked with playing one of those duel roles behind a lone number nine.
