Rangers are preparing to welcome Fenerbahce to town in the Europa League with the Turks’ star-studded squad already strutting their stuff in a training session at Ibrox.
Jose Mourinho leads a team of high-profile names from across global football and plenty of talent will be on show in the Europa League tie against Rangers in Glasgow.
But there is one player amongst the Fenerbahce number who might’ve been turning out at Ibrox over the last few years had things gone differently.
Former Queens Park Rangers winger Bright Osayi-Samuel has been at the Turkish club since 2021 but before he completed the move to Istanbul, Rangers were believed to keen.
Back in September 2020, both Rangers and Celtic were linked to Osayi-Samuel as he mulled over his future in the English Championship.
But the out of contract winger chose to move to Fenerbahce and has reinvented himself as a right wing-back, becoming an important part of the Turkish side’s squad.
There have been resurgent links to Rangers over the years but over four years on Rangers will get an up-close scouting report of Osayi-Samuel as Fenerbahce come to town in the Europa League.
But with the Nigerian international now approaching another cross-roads in his career, Osayi-Samuel has already told Fenerbahce exactly where he sees his future.
Rangers-linked Bright Osayi-Samuel on Fenerbahce future
It was Bright Osayi-Samuel who faced the press ahead of the showdown clash in Glasgow and whilst the game was on the minds of reporters, so was the Nigerian’s future.
Osayi-Samuel is out of contract come the end of the season with Rangers, technically, free to discuss terms over a transfer.
But before anyone could even speculate on the Ibrox side resurrecting their long-term interest, Osayi-Samuel has revealed his heart lies in Turkey despite recurring problems with injuries this season.
”This season is the first time I pulled my hamstring,” explains Osayi-Samuel.
”I’ve never actually had muscle injuries like that so I have been unlucky this year but in terms of the other games, it’s the manager’s decision.
”Of course I am disappointed when I’m not picked because I love to always play for this club. They’ve done so much for me.
”My contract ends at the end of the season but I’ve already spoke to the president, the club knows, they all know that I’ve always said that I wanted to sign a new contract here.
”I’ll wait to the end of the season and see what happens there.”
Osayi-Samuel and Fred return for Fenerbahce v Rangers
Bright Osayi-Samuel was suspended for the first leg of Rangers v Fenerbahce, missing the Ibrox club’s thumping 3-1 victory in Turkey after picking up three yellow cards.
Back in the Fenerbahce squad for the trip to Glasgow, it’s Rangers who could be missing key players as Jose Mourinho’s side roll into town.
Barry Ferguson revealed there are doubts surrounding ‘two or three’ Rangers players heading into the clash at Ibrox to raise some nerves amongst supporters.
Alongside Osayi-Samuel, Fenerbahce will also have Brazilian playmaker Fred back in their squad after Mourinho lamented the midfielder’s absence in Istanbul.
But the Turks will be without influential Turkish defender Caglar Soyuncu after the ex-Leicester City star went off injured in the first leg.
French winger Allan Saint-Maximin also hasn’t travelled after a fall-out spilled onto social media on the player’s birthday.
