Rangers

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• Rangers are unbeaten in their five home matches against Turkish sides in European competition (W3 D2), conceding only one goal in those five games in a 2-1 win over Galatasaray in October 2020.

• Rangers have lost just two of their past 14 home games in the Europa League (W9 D3), though did lose their last game in the knockout stages in March 2024 against Benfica 1-0.

• Fenerbahce have won only one of their past 11 knockout stage away games in major European competition (D3 L7), conceding 2+ goals in seven of those matches, including five of the last six.

• Rangers come into the second leg with a 3-1 aggregate lead – they've progressed from 24 of their previous 25 major European ties when leading by 2+ goals from the first leg, going out to Borussia Dortmund in the last 32 of the 1999-00 Uefa Cup in the other (2-2 on aggregate, lost on pens).

• No player has been involved in more goals in the Europa League this season than Rangers' Vaclav Cerny (eight – six goals, two assists), with his next goal in this season's competition equalling James Tavernier's tally of seven in 2021-22 for the most goals by a Rangers player in a campaign of major European competition.

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

Unpredictable Rangers strike again. I read Tom English suggest this is the weirdest Rangers team ever and I have to agree with that assessment.

The win against Fenerbahce was unexpected but the manner of it was night and day from domestic football.

The 3-5-2 shape worked really well too. It allowed us to have three bodies in the middle at times and gave licence to Mohamed Diomande to jump a line and press, making it 3-4-2-1 at times. It really suited the players.

Cyriel Dessers is the poster boy for this wildly erratic Rangers team. He was excellent; led the line well, worked the channels, bullied the defenders. Yet in Scotland he's thrown about like an empty tracksuit by bog-standard Premiership defenders.

Also, Vaclav Cerny has been brilliant this season and again showed his worth with his two goals. He is a player we can hopefully keep beyond the summer.

The tie is not over, of course, but it will be a good atmosphere at Ibrox on Thursday and hopefully another memorable night at Ibrox.

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Steven McLean will take charge of Sunday's Scottish Premiership meeting at Parkhead between Celtic and Rangers.

John Beaton, who officiated two of the sides' previous three meetings this season, is the VAR this weekend, assisted by Sean Carr, while Graeme Stewart and Dougie Potter are the assistant referees.

McLean last refereed an Old Firm derby in May 2023, a 3-0 win for Rangers over Celtic at Ibrox.

This weekend will be the first league meeting of the sides since 2023 where away fans will be present, with Rangers supporters allocated "4% of saleable capacity".

It will also be the first derby in the dugout for interim manager Barry Ferguson.

Celtic hold a 16-point lead and are three wins away from retaining the title.

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Rangers-linked Russell Martin has admitted he is open to a job outside England after his Southampton sacking.

The 39-year-old former Scotland defender led Saints to promotion last season in his first year in charge but was dismissed in December with the club nine points off Premier League safety.

Martin, who has also managed MK Dons and Swansea City, is reportedly a contender to replace the sacked Philippe Clement at Ibrox in the summer.

Asked about the links to Rangers on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Martin said: "I think I am realistic. I don't think I will get another Premier League chance right now.

"I think like most managers that come up from the Championship - 'Not quite good enough for the Premier League.'

"It's maybe unfair on the managers that get there at times, because you are there with a squad that has been so successful the year before but isn't quite ready for the Premier League.

"I really don't know [where is next]. I am open to working abroad, in England again - I want to work back in the Premier League now I have got a taste of it. I want to get back there and I believe I can, so we will just have to wait and see."

Everton, Marseille and Sevilla are interested in Rangers' Moroccan striker Hamza Igamane, 22. (Ekrem Konur), external

Aris Thessaloniki are set to ask Rangers to accept a lower bid to sign on-loan midfielder Jose Cifuentes on a permanent deal. (Herald - subscription required) , external

Former Rangers striker Robbie Ure, 21, will be traveling to Sweden in order to complete a move from Anderlecht to IK Sirius. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Calum Macdonald
BBC Sport Scotland

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Rangers captain James Tavernier says their Europa League last-16 tie with Fenerbahce isn't over, despite the Ibrox side holding a 3-1 lead from the first leg in Turkey.

Rangers stunned Jose Mourinho's outfit in Istanbul, with Cyriel Dessers and Vaclav Cerny (2) scoring to give the visitors the upper hand for this week's Ibrox meeting.

"We'll treat it as a 0-0 going in to Ibrox, we've got to as a team to try and keep a clean sheet," Tavernier said. "We're going to need all the fans.

"It all comes down to our performance, we've got to get the fans onside with a performance they enjoy and they're proud of.

"We know how loud Ibrox can be if we need to use it as an advantage."

The right-back also praised the effect Barry Ferguson has had on the team since he took over from Philippe Clement a few weeks ago.

Despite never managing above League One before his appointment, Ferguson's European bow in the dugout could barely have gone better.

"He's simplified it," Tavernier said of the interim manager. "He's not been scared to change the formation. The lads have really taken in the information and what it means."

Part of Ferguson's changes have seen Tavernier move into central defence, a switch he hopes could extend his career.

"I played most of youth team days at centre-back, that's a position I could see myself to prolong my career," he added.

"I feel fit as anything, I'm there do a job for the team, wherever that might be and I feel really comfortable at centre-back."

Sevilla, Marseille and Everton are all interested in a summer move for Rangers striker Hamza Igamane. (Africa Foot, external - in French)

Former Real Madrid and Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is "aware" of speculation linking him with the Rangers job. (Daily Record), external

The prospective new investors at Rangers are keen on bringing Steven Gerrard back to Ibrox for a second stint as manager. (The Boot Room), external

Rangers are interested in Peterborough forward Kwame Poku, but would have to pay a tribunal fee for the 23-year-old even though his contract expires at the end of this season. (Football Insider), external

Former Bolton Wanderers and Iceland right-back Gretar Steinsson, who is technical director with Leeds United and 49ers Enterprises, was at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul on Thursday to watch Rangers beat Fenerbahce 3-1 as takeover talks continue over the Ibrox club. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Calum Macdonald
BBC Scotland in Istanbul

Cyriel Dessers insists "it's about time" Rangers delivered a big performance at Ibrox as they look to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.

Dessers scored the opener and was a standout in Istanbul as Barry Ferguson's side beat Fenerbahce 3-1 in the first leg of their last-16 clash, but admits the tie is still up for grabs in Govan next Thursday.

"Everybody saw that Fenerbahce is a very good team," the striker said.

"Individually they have some top quality players and we will need to be at our best [at Ibrox].

"We will need the fans. We'll need all of Ibrox, everybody. But I know we're ready for it and hopefully we can finish the job."

Rangers have lost their last three domestic home games to Queen's Park, St Mirren and Motherwell and the Nigeria international admits European football suits them better.

"We've been a team of ups and downs," Dessers added.

"Especially in the league but I think in Europe we showed a very consistent form, and sometimes it's hard to explain, but I think the football in Europe suits us a little bit more at this moment.

"We have to take confidence from this as well and try to find the consistency to try to start doing this in the league as well."

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Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield on Sportsound: "Everybody looks down on Scottish football and clubs and players that play in Scotland but it's proven time and time again that this club rises to the occasion in Europe.

"You just come to expect it on a Thursday night... I said they just have to stay in the tie, but they've done more than that. They are in the driving seat now.

"I do [fancy Rangers to get the job done].

"Tactics were absolutely spot on, individually and collectively. Outfought them and outthought them.

"For the rest of Barry Ferguson's life he can see he has gone toe-to-toe with one of the best."

Former Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst on TNT Sports: "Perfect, perfect performance. Really proud of the team, really proud of Barry and his staff."

Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton on TNT Sports: "They always had that threat. Barry Ferguson surprised a lot of people with that formation but it worked an absolute treat."

Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist on TNT Sports: "Wee Barry should be and he will be extremely proud of those boys."

BBC Scotland chief sports writer Tom English: "When this Rangers team are asked to break down a defence, they struggle. When it's a toe-to-toe encounter and there's space and a freedom to counter, they're a completely different animal."

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Ridvan Yilmaz urges Rangers to "stay humble" following their superb Europa League win over Fenerbahce in his birth city of Istanbul on Thursday night.

The Turkey international was born in the city and came through the ranks at Besiktas before breaking into the first team and subsequently moving to Ibrox in 2022.

Despite nearly three years at the club, the 3-1 win against Jose Mourinho's side was the first time the 23-year-old's mum had seen him play live for the Ibrox club, though he admitted it "wasn't my best game".

"I'm proud of my team-mates," Yilmaz told club media.

"I have lot of good memories in this place and I'm so happy to add one more.

"It's a fantastic win, but we need to be humble. We have a second game, after a good result in the away game

"The manager is proud of us as well. He knows everything about the club.

"We are so happy to win but we have one more game and I hope we go through."

Yilmaz was delighted to be supported by his family on his trip back to Istanbul but reiterated his assertion ahead of the return leg in Glasgow next week.

"It wasn't the best game for me, but the most important thing was to win," he added.

"I give my everything for my team-mates and also my family was here. So I'm sure they are also happy about also the result.

"It was the first time my mum has watched me live playing for Rangers so I am so happy for her as well.

"We should be humble, we got a good result in the away game and I hope we get it at Ibrox as well."

We asked you for your views following Rangers' superb win away to Fenerbache.

Here's what some of you said:

Bob: Fantastic result. No one saw it coming and no one expected it. That's maybe the key. Away from home, the team have no pressure from the crowd, especially one that's baying for even the very smallest mistakes. The treatment of Cyriel Dessers the prime example. Could it be that the crowd and atmosphere at Ibrox is the problem? Need to manage expectations.

Sally: Dessers was superb, Jack Butland made some stupid mistakes, but good performance all round. Jose Mourhino needs to be respected and he is right, it is not over. Rangers need to defend well and attack at every opportunity at Ibrox.

Dave: Rangers in Europe are a different beast. It's like the pressure of the domestic season is lifted and they show what they are capable of. The return on John Souttar makes the defence more solid and when paired with Leon Balogun, we look more defensively secure.

Robert: When you're a Rangers player, you have to give the club, fans and the manager/coach that performance every time you pull on that Rangers jersey. Well done, for the moment, but remember these words.

Brydo: It's a disgrace this Rangers team are so far behind in Scotland. In Europe, it's the complete opposite. Their tactics and careful deployment of the team are spot-on against their European adversaries but, at home, they abandon these beliefs. Their only decent displays, win or lose, are against Celtic, where they revert to the more careful approach.

John: When they are given space to play, they play. Pressed too much in Scotland leaves them vulnerable. Jose is right, it's only half done. After his comment about wanting to play in Scotland, I think if we put his side out he will throw his hat into the ring for the Rangers job. We could do a lot worse than choosing him.

Ian: This is the team we longed for. Ferguson has to be given credit for this. He took a gamble and it paid off. Hopefully he can turn the team around.

Alan: Rangers are an enigma. If Mourinho was interested in managing them they shouldn't think twice. If all goes with the potential purchase of the club, happier days will result. We have all suffered long enough.

Sandy: Unexpected, but thoroughly deserved. How can they be so good in Europe but so unbelievably inconsistent at home, no chance of winning it but a unbelievable result 👏

Ross: This is typical of this Rangers side. They can perform when they are not favourites. Defending set pieces and breaking down defensive teams is still a problem. It's a great result but only papers over the cracks.

Allan: Rangers provided their supporters a great result, which could have been even bigger, but this is only part one. Fenerbache were obviously not at their best. We need to see this kind of result every week in the league.

Calum Macdonald
BBC Scotland in Istanbul

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Vaclav Cerny will "demand" the level of performance Rangers put in against Fenerbache in the Europa League in every match.

The winger scored a double as Rangers' interim manager, Barry Ferguson, outwitted Jose Mourinho to bring a two-goal advantage into next Thursday's return leg at Ibrox.

"You want to be there at the top of your performances every three days," Cerny said post-match. "And that's what I demand from myself. That's what we should demand from each other, from every single one of us.

"And obviously, let's keep pushing in Europe."

While Cerny's goals were crucial to Rangers' wonderful win in Turkey, so too was Ferguson's change of system.

"We had a plan, and we just did everything we said before the game," Cerny added. "We stuck to the plan. We knew we could be dangerous in those situations where we got the space, and we were, we were also quite effective.

"We can also say we did it right today.

"Every manager, every coaching staff, has their own ideas, that's been the case here as well. The main thing to adapt to it as fast as possible and do as we talk."

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• Rangers have won consecutive Europa League games for the first time since February 2021, courtesy of two wins against Royal Antwerp in the last 32.

• Rangers secured their third away win in Europe this season, their joint-most in a single campaign in all competitions (excl. qualifiers) along with 2020-21.

• Three of Cyriel Dessers' four Europa League goals for Rangers have come in his last six appearances in the competition, while he has been involved in 13 goals in his last 12 appearances in all competitions (10 goals, three assists).

• Only James Tavernier in 2021-22 (seven) has scored more goals in a single season in Europe for Rangers than Vaclav Cerny in 2024-25 (six).

• This was James Tavernier's 60th game in major European competition for Rangers, the joint-third most of any Rangers player, level with current manager Barry Ferguson and behind only Allan McGregor (78) and John Greig (62).

• Fenerbahce shipped three goals in a European knockout game (excl. play-offs) on home soil for the first time since February 2007 against AZ (3-3).

• Alexander Djiku's goal on 29 minutes 38 seconds for Fenerbahce was the earliest by a substitute in the Europa League since 14 February 2013 (Rodrigo Palacio for Internazionale v CFR Cluj – 19m 41s) and the third earliest by a sub in the history of the competition.

Rangers interim head coach Barry Ferguson says he "had my way" after his coaching staff had doubts about his change of shape to a back three before Thursday's 3-1 first-leg win away to Fenerbahce in the Europa League last 16. (Daily Record), external

The roots of Rangers' win over Fenerbahce in Turkey were formed in a brutal, high tempo, high energy training session on Tuesday, the kind of which had not been seen under former manager Philippe Clement. (Daily Record), external

Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is favourite with bookmakers to become permanent Ibrox boss this summer, taking over from former Southampton boss and Rangers defender Russell Martin, with Fenerbahce's Jose Mourinho in third and current interim head coach Barry Ferguson also in the frame. (The Scotsman), external

Former Rangers captain Lee Wallace's son, Billy, has signed a contract to join the club's youth academy. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Did you take in Rangers' 3-1 Europa League win away to Fenerbahce?

Have your say on the match, external

Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho: "We were very bad everywhere. I don't think it's fair to say we were bad defensively because we were very bad everywhere.

"Maybe you laugh but for me it was a good result because of the way we performed, the result could have been bigger than this one. If someone wants to ask me if it's over, no, I don't think it's over."

Rangers interim head coach Barry Ferguson: "I thought it was a really good performance. They gave me everything that I asked for. They took every single thing that me and my coaching staff went over on the training ground.

"Overall, it's a brilliant result but there's no way that I'm getting carried away. This is only half-time in the tie."

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