BARRY FERGUSON warned rampant Rangers to beware the Mourinho factor at Ibrox next week.
Gers roared to a 3-1 Europa League first leg win in Istanbul with Cyriel Dessers netting before Vaclav Cerny’s double.
Barry Ferguson celebrates at full-time after seeing is Rangers team win in Turkey[/caption]
Ferguson wouldn’t be drawn into saying he out-thought Jose Mourinho.
But surely no-one could argue that his Rangers team OUT-FOUGHT Fenerbahce in Istanbul.
Ferguson spoke of his pride in his players but ahead of next week’s return leg at Ibrox, he cautioned that their woeful form at their home ground is a big problem.
The interim boss was asked in the moments after the unexpected win over the Turkish giants if his decision to play with a 3-6-1 formation “outfoxed” Mourinho in the opposite dugout.
Ferguson said: “It was a performance full of commitment and desire. Some of the football we played was really good.
“I thought we deserved to win and I’ve given the players a lot of credit in the dressing room.
“But we have to remember it’s only half-time in the tie.
“Fenerbahce have one of the best managers there has ever been.
“He will be hurting and I’m sure he’ll want to come to Ibrox next week with his team and try to beat us and get through to the last eight.
“I wouldn’t say I outfoxed him.
“He changed it, that’s what top managers do.
“He changed it quite early on and then changed it again in the second half, so you’ve always got to be thinking.
“We went with a formation tonight that I thought would get us a result. The boys haven’t played it before this season and we only spent one, or not even one hour, on it.
“But they took the information on and they put on a performance that I’ve got to be proud of.”
Gers had two goals chopped off for offside on the night and Ferguson praised his players for not letting the decisions affect them.
He said: “I’ve not seen them but look, you can feel sorry for yourself when you get a couple of goals disallowed but the guys kept going and they created another chance and we got that vital third goal.
“It didn’t affect the players and that’s the most important things for me.”
Next week promises to be another thrilling Europa League night under the lights at Ibrox.
But the fact the Light Blues have not been themselves at home for much of this season – not least the three successive losses to Queen’s Park, St Mirren and Motherwell.
Mourinho felt Fenerbahce were LUCKY the defeat wasn’t heavier.
He said: “The result was good for us.
“It was closer to being bigger than smaller so, for us, it was a good result.
“It was not my fault because I prepared for the game as always.
“The fact they played five at the back is something in European football that happens.
“We spoke about it being possible they would do it.
“They deserved the result.
“For me, it’s not over. I know it’s 3-1 and we are losing when the second leg starts but it’s not over.”
RANGERS PLAYER RATINGS
JACK BUTLAND: Indecision led to him taking out Robin Propper during a collision and he could’ve got a hand on equaliser. Superb save in injury-time could be key 7
RIDVAN YILMAZ: Back on home soil and played out of position as a right wing-back. Defended well and kept things sensible before being replaced by Dujon Sterling 7
JAMES TAVERNIER: Captain stepped inside from his usual right-back spot and used his experience to keep things calm. Defended well and showed common sense on the ball 8
JOHN SOUTTAR: Incredible block before break stopped a goal and he was a rock for Gers during the second half as Fenerbahce threw balls into box. Huge display. Booked 8
ROBIN PROPPER: Started on the left of the three central defenders and looked comfy until pole-axed by Butland after mix-up. Relief to see him able to walk off pitch 4
JEFTE: Caught out in an early Fenerbahce attack but switched on and played his part in a big team performance. Brazilian should have hit target on a first-half break 8
NICO RASKIN: Belgian midfielder’s approach set the tone for Gers. Produced an immense all-action display capped by a wonderful pass for Vaclav Cerny’s crucial third goal 9
CONNOR BARRON: Restored to the midfield to provide graft in the new-look system and did just that. Kept things simple on the ball and dovetailed well with Raskin 8
MOHAMED DIOMANDE: Showed bags of energy in a quick start and continued to be a lively presence in the middle. Was screaming for a pass from Cyriel Dessers on a wasted break 8
VACLAV CERNY: Aggressive pressing led to the Rangers opener as he relished a more central role and he showed great composure to claim a clinical double and secure the win 9
CYRIEL DESSERS: Sharp as a tack to grab his 22nd goal of the season before VAR robbed him of another two. Produced a brilliant assist for Cerny’s first in a top striking display 8
Subs: LEON BALOGUN (7) on after Propper’s head knock and was solid for Gers. IANIS HAGI (5) replaced the tiring Diomande for the last 15 minutes. DUJON STERLING (5) provided a physical presence on right in crucial finale. TOM LAWRENCE (3) on late. HAMZA IGAMANE (3) asked to be a nuisance.
Ferguson said: “Ibrox has been a problem as you know but we’ll enjoy tonight and I’ll give the boys a couple of days off that are well earned and then we’ll try and fix that problem.
“But I want to enjoy this moment just now. I just said in the dressing room there that we need to be ready for next Thursday but I’ll tell you something, I’ll have them ready.”
The former captain’s overwhelming feeling on the night was pride, however.
He added: “I’ve got to be honest, I’m proud of the boys because they’ve been through a hell of a lot this season at times but tonight they were excellent so they deserve a lot of credit.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
