Rangers Ready for Mourinho’s Test on Home Soil
The air in Glasgow feels electric as Rangers get set to host Fenerbahçe in their Europa League last-16 decider. After a stunning 3-1 win in Turkey, Barry Ferguson’s side has one foot in the quarter-finals. That cushion means more than just comfort—it’s a battle-tested track record. Rangers have advanced from 24 of their last 25 major European ties when leading by two or more at this stage. Still, the sting of last year’s early exit lingers; the lesson there is, nothing’s guaranteed in knockout football.
Fenerbahçe’s situation looks almost impossible on paper, but they brought in José Mourinho for precisely these never-say-die moments. The Turkish giants will need more than patience and possession; this is about grit and clever risks. Mourinho’s history in Europe is legendary, and that alone might give a slight chill to Rangers supporters—not that you would know it from the buzz around Ibrox.
The two-leg narrative was set in Istanbul when Cyriel Dessers struck early, and then Vaclav Cerný shocked the hosts with a quickfire double. That advantage gives Rangers confidence, but it also puts a target on their backs. Fenerbahçe knows exactly what they need: goals, and plenty of them.
How They’ll Shape Up: Predicted Teams and Key Battles
Team news so far seems to favor Rangers, who come into this match with a healthy squad. Ferguson will likely stick with his dependable lineup: McGregor between the sticks; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, and Barisic as the back four; Raskin and Lundstram marshalling the midfield; and an attacking crew of Arfield, Tillman, Sakala, and Colak up front. The chemistry between midfield and attack could decide how much of the ball Rangers see going forward—or if they’ll be sitting back, counting down the minutes.
On the other side, Fenerbahçe’s strength will come in numbers and experience. Expect to see Bayındır in goal, protected by Crespo, Djiku, Szalai, and Kadioglu. The midfield will try to dictate tempo through Araujo and Irfan, while Rossi, King, Zajc, and Valencia look to find those crucial attacking chances. For Fenerbahçe, the pressure is massive—but so is their hunger to turn things around under Mourinho’s watchful eye.
Keep your eyes on the matchup between Dessers and Fenerbahçe’s sometimes shaky defense. The *Rangers* striker’s presence up front could spell trouble on the break—a problem the Turkish side struggled to solve in the first leg. Cerný’s pace on the wing offers another outlet. Fenerbahçe’s full-backs can’t afford to give him space, or their task could get even tougher.
- Rangers have history on their side with their consistent performance when leading after the first leg.
- Mourinho's experience in big European nights brings a wild card factor for Fenerbahçe.
- The match winner meets either Roma or Athletic Bilbao in the next round, increasing the stakes.
This one may not have the wildest scoreline; a 1-1 draw would suit the Scottish side fine, but Fenerbahçe will push hard and early, looking for the fast breakthrough none managed in Istanbul. Both sides know what’s at stake—a spot in the quarter-finals and potentially a path to something even more memorable.