credit: Imago and Clyde 1 Superscoreboard

Max Wilkins

Tue 4 March 2025 21:22, UK

Rangers are preparing for a Europa League double bill against Fenerbahce in the coming week.

The Gers are set to travel to Turkyie for a clash against Jose Mourinho’s side on Thursday (6 March) in the round of 16 first leg.

Coming off the back of a home defeat against Motherwell, the Light Blues will be keen to bounce back with a positive result but that won’t come easy.

Regardless of a difficult away trip, Ross McCormack believes the Govan club have an ace up their sleeve in the second half of the tie.

McCormack shares Ibrox admission for Fenerbahce clash

It is safe to say that the Gers have had their fair share of amazing and memorable nights in European competition in G51.

There were plenty in the run which saw Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side reach the final of the Europa League with wins against RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Braga.

The Ibrox atmosphere played a key role in this run and has also had a positive impact on the current campaign despite the frailties of Philippe Clement’s side.

Now under Barry Ferguson, the Light Blues will be keen on maintaining their positive home form on the continent for their clash against the Super Lig outfit.

Former striker McCormack believes this Govan advantage could see any result against Mourinho regardless of the first leg.

Speaking on Clyde One Superscoreboard (4 March), he said: “When Rangers are expected to go and win games, that’s when they struggle.

“That’s probably why they go into European competitions, maybe they look at it as a bit of a free hit, like they’re not expected to win or do anything and it brings out a different side in them. The other thing with this as well is that the second leg is at Ibrox, anything can happen.”

Rangers must make positive impression v Fenerbahce

The Gers have to start off on the right foot against Fenerbahce and bring a positive aggregate result back to Govan with them for next week.

This could prove to be the difference between a positive stint in charge for Ferguson and negativity surrounding his return to Ibrox.

There is no doubt that the G51 side are likely to perform better at home but that can’t excuse a potentially negative result away in Turkyie.

Given that there is nothing left to play for domestically with Celtic being so far in front of their Old Firm rivals, everything has to go in the Europa League basket.

It will certainly be interesting to see how the travelling bears get on against Mourinho’s men and what scoreline returns to Ibrox.