Rangers produced one of their most impressive European performances in recent times on Thursday night, defeating Fenerbahce 3-1 in Istanbul to put themselves in a commanding position ahead of the second leg at Ibrox. Barry Ferguson’s side delivered a tactical masterclass, executing a high-intensity, disciplined display that left Jose Mourinho’s men stunned. But with 90 minutes still to play, Ferguson has warned against complacency—Rangers must be ready to stand tall and finish the job at Ibrox.
A Statement Performance in Istanbul
Rangers came flying out the blocks, with Cyriel Dessers opening the scoring after just six minutes. The goal came from a relentless press by Mohamed Diomande and Vaclav Cerny, forcing an error from Sebastian Szymanski. Dessers pounced on the loose ball and, despite Çağlar Söyüncü’s last-ditch clearance attempt, goal-line technology confirmed the ball had crossed the line.
Fenerbahce responded with a period of pressure, with Edin Džeko and Youssef En-Nesyri both coming close, but Jack Butland was equal to the task. A setback arrived on the half-hour mark when Alexander Djiku, who had replaced the injured Söyüncü, equalised from a corner. However, Rangers did not panic and struck again before half-time. Nico Raskin won possession high up the pitch and linked up with Dessers, who played a perfect one-two with Cerny. The Czech winger, in fine form, finished clinically from a tight angle.
Rangers thought they had put the game beyond doubt early in the second half when Dessers twice found the net, but VAR ruled both efforts offside. Ferguson’s side, though, remained patient and grabbed a deserved third in the closing stages when Raskin picked out Cerny with a perfectly weighted through ball. Cerny raced through on goal and slotted home to secure a famous win for the Light Blues.
Ferguson’s Press Conference – Mindset, Tactical Flexibility, and Handling Pressure
Speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow night’s second leg, Barry Ferguson emphasised the need for a focused and professional approach. While acknowledging the team’s excellent performance in Istanbul, he insisted there are still areas to improve upon:
It was a really good performance, but I still think there are areas where we can improve. We’re under no illusions—it’s going to be a different game. Fenerbahce will be hurting, and we need to be ready for that.
Barry Ferguson, Rangers Manager
He also highlighted Rangers’ growing ability to adapt tactically, something that has been missing in recent years:
I believe that in any game, whether in Europe or domestically, you have to have flexibility. That’s something this team hasn’t had, but we’ve worked on it. If things aren’t going according to plan, we can change. The players have embraced that, and we’ll approach the game with the mindset to win.
Barry Ferguson, Rangers Manager
Ferguson acknowledged Rangers’ inconsistent home form this season but made it clear that Ibrox must become a fortress again:
That’s been a big issue. We know it. The fans know it. It’s something I’m working hard to change. Ibrox on a European night can lift this team to another level. If we match that energy on the pitch, the crowd will be right behind us.
Barry Ferguson, Rangers Manager
He also touched on the ‘dark arts’ of European football, hinting that Rangers need to be more streetwise:
Sometimes we’re too nice. We can’t be nice all the time. Fenerbahce will try to use every trick in the book tomorrow, and we need to be prepared for that.
Barry Ferguson, Rangers Manager
Tactical Shift: The Back Five That Baffled Mourinho
A key factor in Rangers’ success last week was Ferguson’s tactical tweak. Instead of the usual back four, Rangers deployed a three-man central defence, with Tavernier shifting inside as the right-sided centre-back alongside Robin Pröpper and John Souttar. This allowed Ridvan Yilmaz and Jefte to operate as wing-backs, providing width in attack while dropping into a back five when needed.
This shape gave Rangers the defensive solidity required to deal with Fenerbahce’s dangerous forward line while still offering attacking width when going forward. The system frustrated Mourinho’s side, who struggled to break through, with Tavernier marshalling the right side expertly.
The tactical flexibility Rangers displayed—seamlessly transitioning from a back five to a back three in possession—showed the progress being made under Ferguson. It also demonstrated the manager’s willingness to adapt, a trait that will be crucial for the return leg.
The Second Leg – Finish the Job
Rangers hold a two-goal advantage, but Ferguson’s message is clear: this tie is not over. Fenerbahce, led by Mourinho, will come to Ibrox with nothing to lose, throwing everything forward to overturn the deficit.
Tomorrow night represents a massive opportunity for Rangers to reach the Europa League quarter-finals. A packed Ibrox under the floodlights, a team playing with tactical discipline and intensity, and a manager demanding nothing but the best—this is what European nights in Glasgow are all about.
The job is half done. Now it’s time to finish it.