Rangers

Calum MacDonald
BBC Sport Scotland

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Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson could have key defenders John Souttar and Leon Balogun available for the first leg of the Europa League last-16 tie against Fenerbahce on Thursday.

Balogun stepped up his return from injury with 45 minutes off the bench in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Motherwell, but Scotland international Souttar has not featured in Rangers' past three outings.

Having conceded twice in each of their last three domestic matches against St Mirren, Kilmarnock and Motherwell, the sight of their first-choice centre-back pairing on Thursday night would be a real boost for Ferguson and the Rangers support.

"Everyone has travelled," Ferguson said. "I guess you're asking about John Souttar and [Leon] Balogun? Both of them trained again today.

"We'll need to wait until tomorrow to see how they react, but good to see them back training and hopefully available for selection tomorrow."

Among the travelling Rangers party is Turkey full-back Ridvan Yilmaz. Ferguson was full of praise for the 23-year-old, who is preparing for his first club match in his homeland since moving to Glasgow from Besiktas in 2022.

"He's a good player, the issues he's had at Rangers is injuries; now he's fully fit," Ferguson added.

"He's been playing in a position that's foreign to him at right-back, but he's one player I can rely on - he doesn't moan when I ask him to play different positions.

"I like his attitude, it's been first class, it's about him staying fit until the end of the season, because if he plays more games he can get better and better."

Calum Macdonald
BBC Sport Scotland in Istanbul

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Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson has been talking to the media before the first leg of his side's Europa League last 16 tie against Fenerbahce in Istanbul.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• Credited the work done in Europe to get to this stage, and is expecting a "really tough" game.

• Excited to compete against "top-class manager" Jose Mourinho and says Fenerbahce are serious contenders to win the competition.

• Ferguson is under no illusions about the scale of task ahead of his side, and says Rangers will have to be at their "very best" to get a positive result.

• He dismissed notions of Mourinho being a "defensive" coach having watched 10 of Fenerbahce's recent matches.

• Ferguson is taking inspiration from managers he played under in Walter Smith, Dick Advocaat and Alex McLeish, and understands "you have to play in a different way" in European competition.

• Team news: John Souttar and Leon Balogun have both trained and will "hopefully" be available for selection.

The looming new ownership at Ibrox is the glimmer of light in a season that has plumbed the depths.

Club legend Barry Ferguson is holding the fort until summer after Philippe Clement finally paid the price for dismal results, including the Scottish Cup humiliation against Queen's Park.

While Rangers are simply playing out time on the domestic front, their European campaign remains alive for now, with Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce the last-16 obstacle.

While it has been a tumultuous campaign for Rangers, you know your club best, so tell us the one thing - good or bad - nobody us talking about at Ibrox.

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Are Rangers players, as Steven Naismith claims, wilting under the pressure of performing for the club?

Scottish coach and analyst John Walker believes the issues are more tactical than psychological.

"Footballers have been given information since they were 11 years old, more often than not as positional play information because of the influence Pep Guardiola's had," said Walker on the BBC's Scottish Football podcast.

"Footballers like Mohamed Diomande and Nicolas Raskin expect to receive the ball and know where their team-mates are all the time, Rangers haven't had that.

"All this psychological stuff and the pressure at Ibrox, it's nonsense. There was a stat, Scottish football is the most intense league in Europe. It's all in your face, it's all aggressive, it's constantly balls into your box.

"Players like Diomande and Raskin can't cope with that if you don't have a clear style of play. They receive the ball, they've got players in their faces and they don't have players where they should be.

"You've got Vaclav Cerny and Ianis Hagi both playing as 10s when you've already got a 10 in there, you've got two strikers so you can't find them with the ball.

"It just goes full-back, centre-half and then the crowd start to groan in Ibrox and that's where people like Naismith can say it's a psychological problem.

"James Tavernier's got to a European final, he's won a title at Rangers, he's won trophies at Rangers, so it's not a psychological problem, it's a football problem. When the football's right, the players are fine."

Calum Macdonald
BBC Sport Scotland in Istanbul

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Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has been speaking to the media before his side's Europa league last-16 match with Rangers.

Here are the key points from the self-proclaimed 'Special One':

• In reference to the recent controversy following his side's match against Galatasaray, Mourinho says: "On the pitch there have been difficult moments. We always respect our opponents, so yes we've had problems on the pitch. Outside of the pitch, I don't think we have had a difficult moment."

• Mourinho refused to answer when asked about sacked Rangers manager Philippe Clement's criticism of his "defensive" style of play.

• He believes it will be "much more difficult" against a Rangers side led by "pragmatic" Barry Ferguson rather than Clement because the Belgian was "much more worried about philosophy rather than results".

• On interim boss Ferguson, he adds: "I don't know a lot about his career as a coach, but I respect the emotional connection between him and his club. I think that's a very important thing, the connection."

• His time in Scotland doing his coaching badges was fantastic for him both professionally and personally, but Mourinho says his visit wasn't great for the Largs pubs as he only drank sparkling water.

• "Why not" was his response when asked if he'd like to manage in Scotland, but he pointed out that he has a job which excites him and his focus is only on that.

• Asked if he still gets Rangers fans thanking him for beating Celtic in the 2003 Uefa Cup final with Porto, Mourinho said: "Not in Turkey as I've not seen a Scottish person. Maybe tonight or tomorrow. But yes, in London and in the south of Portugal some Rangers fans come up to me. That was my first big European final but I have respect for both big clubs."

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

The Europa League and Rangers' performances in it arguably kept Philippe Clement in his role as manager considerably longer than otherwise would have been the case. And now Barry Ferguson must be hoping the players will continue to raise their game for the challenge of European football.

Certainly the performance turned in against Motherwell was of a similar ilk to the type of display shown all too often under the Belgian, but the question now is whether those same players can continue to transform themselves into an unrecognisable outfit on the European stage.

Defensively, Rangers look as weak as they have all season and desperately need Leon Balogun and John Souttar available, while Ridvan Yilmaz looks a safer bet than Jefte right now. The jitters even seem to have got to Jack Butland in recent weeks.

With nothing to play for domestically, the thought of the European run also coming to a halt must be too much to bear for Rangers supporters right now.

Thursday's meeting with Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce is not their toughest assignment of the season, but Rangers might be at their lowest ebb yet and will have to rouse themselves perhaps like never before.

The players' mentality and desire has been questioned repeatedly this season, with good cause, but they have an opportunity for at least partial redemption if they can record another impressive European result and give themselves a chance of reaching the quarter-final next week.

The San Francisco 49ers-backed consortium poised to take over Rangers is considering Rafael Benitez as the next permanent manager at Ibrox. (Daily Record)

Kevin Muscat has also been linked with Rangers but he has reiterated his commitment to Shanghai Port with the club on the brink of exiting the Asian Champions League. (Daily Record)

Mystery still surrounds Ryan Kent's departure from Fenerbahce in Istanbul nearly five months after the former Rangers winger had his contract with the Turkish club terminated by mutual consent. (The Herald)

Queen's Park boss Callum Davidson plans to use on-loan Rangers defender Leon King as a central midfielder between now and the end of the season. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

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Colin Hendry has echoed the sentiments of fellow former Rangers player Steven Naismith by stressing "there is no hiding place" for the current team.

Naismith fears there are too many in Barry Ferguson's squad "scared" of the pressure and responsibility of representing the club, while Hendry says "psychologically, you've got to be on top form".

The former Scotland captain spent a season and a half at Ibrox from 1998, when they were the dominant team in the country, a stark contrast to the current climate.

Hendry admits the mental test of being "at it all the time" while playing for a club whose supporters demand success regardless of circumstances can be more challenging than the physical demands of performing.

"There is no hiding place," said Hendry. "That's part of being part of Glasgow Rangers. That's how it works.

"When I came back from England and signed for Rangers, I used to try and describe that when I was playing the Premier League, week in, week out, I was in a boxing match. So physically, when you come out of that game, after your 90 minutes, you knew you'd been in a game.

"But when you come up to Rangers, and with the exception of 10 or 20% of the games that you play, you're in charge.

"Even away from home, you've got the majority of ball possession and psychologically you've got to be at it all the time.

"That was probably the main difference I found. Psychologically, you've got to be absolutely on top form. Physically, it wasn't as draining, it wasn't as demanding, but psychologically, you've got to be at it all the time because there's only space for one winner.

"For a team that's been beaten three times at Ibrox, then the pressure, of course, psychologically, builds up on each individual player because they'll be thinking the next game, the next game, the next game, and they've got to win the next game. And that's how it is."

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

This Rangers team is wildly unpredictable from minute to minute in games.

Having fought back from two down to win 4-2 at Kilmarnock last Wednesday, the pace and intensity of the second half provided a bit positive about the Motherwell fixture.

Unfortunately, it was more St Mirren than Kilmarnock. Mistakes galore.

Senior players Jack Butland and James Tavernier made big errors leading to goals and then the team huffed and puffed but couldn't pull back the latest two-goal deficit.

There are nine league games to go and I'm hoping we get more more away matches after the split because going to Ibrox is an absolute chore.

As for Fenerbahce on Thursday, I don't have much hope of a result. It's going to be really difficult considering the shape we are in.

The only news that's keeping me slightly positive for the future is the takeover. It's badly needed and hopefully it goes through as soon as possible, so the new owners can start gutting this squad.

The proposed takeover of Rangers by 49ers Enterprises has been agreed in principle. (Mail), external

Former Romania forward Adrian Mutu urges Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi, 26, to move to Turkish football, as his father, Gheorghe, did. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Steven Naismith fears there are too many players "scared" of the pressure being a Rangers player brings, and worries there are "not enough leaders" in the squad to deal with it.

The former Ibrox striker believes "a big overhaul in the summer" is "the only real option" for a team who, he says, are "playing catch-up".

"I think there are some in the squad that have got leadership skills, and you see that," the ex-Scotland forward said at an event at Hampden.

"I'm not sure there's enough of them. I'm not sure there's enough of them that feel the pressure and deal with the pressure.

"The European games are suited to them because they can be in a secure block and they're good players at the club, so when that space appears they make the right choice, they have a calm finish.

"But, when it is challenging and it's 0-0 with 20 minutes to go at Ibrox and the fans are demanding, who's still brave enough to make the right pass or take a shot at the right time and not just pass off the opportunity?

"That's the part that the players need to grasp. I think as a player at an Old Firm, club, you need to, one,deal with the pressure and get used to it, but two, see the opportunity and not be scared of it.

"I think too many are scared of that feeling.

"The way the squad looks, you talk about some not being capable of doing that, really, the only option when it comes to the summer is having to have a big overhaul and keep maybe the few players that do understand."

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Leon Balogun insists Rangers must "prove Barry Ferguson wrong" after the interim manager stressed a repeat of the "baffling and painful" Motherwell performance against Fenerbache would end in a heavy defeat.

Ferguson's return to Ibrox didn't go to script as Michael Wimmer's side won 2-1, inflicting a third consecutive home defeat on Rangers.

Up next for Ferguson's side is a double-header against Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce in the Europa League last 16, before travelling to runaway league leaders, Celtic.

"We have to prove him wrong," the defender said.

"But, he's making a fair point because, if you can't beat Motherwell, with all due respect to them, at home, I think it's fair to say that Celtic and Fenerbahce are a different type of opposition and probably higher quality as well.

"It might actually help that we play the first game away, after what happened domestically, and get supporters back on our side.

"But, again, we need to make at least two massive steps forward from Saturday in order to get a result there.

"It probably helps that then we play European football again straight after, a week later. So it's a massive chance, a massive opportunity.

"We really need to put everything into the game. We have to do it anyway, but now even more."

When asked what's the issue with playing at Ibrox at the moment, the former Nigeria international revealed he's "baffled".

"I wish I could tell you, honestly," the 26-year-old added.

"It's painful for me personally and I'm sure it is painful for the boys in the dressing room now. It's quite flat.

"It certainly is for every supporter because I'm very well aware of what many of them give to be here every week or every two weeks.

"We've let them down again.

"It feels like every other week one of us is sitting in front of you guys, standing in front of that camera, trying to explain something, but I think people are just tired and so are we.

"But, it's in our hands to turn it around. I couldn't tell you if I wanted to right now. It's baffling and it's painful."

San Francisco 49ers Enterprises have no plans for an instant overhaul of the Rangers hierarchy should their takeover go ahead and will keep chief executive Patrick Stewart and chairman Fraser Thornton in their roles. (Daily Mail)

Rangers legend Graeme Souness has welcomed news of potential backing from the 49ers, saying "it doesn't guarantee anything, but it would be good news". (Scottish Sun)

Bologna and Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson says being rejected by Rangers gave him the "motivational fuel" to succeed. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Head coach Jose Mourinho has been offered a new deal at Fenerbahce days before their Europa League meeting with Rangers. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

Sportscene pundits Cammy Bell and Michael Stewart analyse Jack Butland's error in Rangers' loss against Motherwell.

Watch all the highlights from Motherwell's 2-1 win at Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

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We asked for your views on Rangers' 2-1 defeat against Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

Paul: The end of the season can't come quick enough to clear out this underperforming Rangers team and start fresh. Give the managerial position to Barry Ferguson full time, then we will see a team of proven fighters, diehards and winners, with the manager setting the standards from his own successful playing career at the club.

Duncan: The team are very lethargic, lacking in positivity. I don't see this pool of players being able to bring the result expectations of a Rangers team. New players are badly required.

Alan: The team have no spirit, fight, determination and no leader on the park. Ferguson may regret taking this job on, but the team needs players who want to win. The current squad do not appear to have any desire to win.

Sue: We can see why Jack Butland was never quite good enough, a lot of loan periods in the league and a brief international career and never near good enough at Manchester United. Can we not just bring Allan McGregor back out of retirement as he is far superior than Butland will ever be, Butland is always a mistake waiting to happen.

Lennie: Absolutely disgraceful performance again, if we play James Tavernier and Robin Propper on Thursday night, we will get slaughtered. Ianis Hagi was awful, we send out young Leon King on loan, he is a better player than those who played in the defence. Ferguson is not a magician, give youth a chance, our season is over anyway.

Rab: Dreadful performance, no visible change of tactics or approach from the previous managerial regime. The team lacked the ability to deal with a simple high press employed by Motherwell, nothing came from the coaching team to counter this, some of whom were critical of the previous manager.