Jim White stunned by what Mourinho said after Rangers win v Fenerbahce
Rangers shocked a fair few onlookers on Thursday night by putting Fenerbahce to the sword 3-1 in Istanbul.
But many are fully aware of the higher gear the Gers seem to find in European competition, having beaten Jose Mourinho’s side on their own patch in the Europa League last 16 first leg (6 March).
Rangers know they must see out the tie at Ibrox next Thursday, with Barry Ferguson and his squad having a week with no game to prepare to advance to the quarter-finals.
Jim White reacts to ‘stunning’ result
White was quick to air his thoughts on social media, posting on X not long after the final whistle in the Turkish capital.
Vaclav Cerny’s double helped his side along massively after Cyriel Dessers had opened the scoring, later having two more goals chalked off for marginal VAR offside calls which left Rangers gutted.
However, the result is certainly one they will all take back to Govan next Thursday, with Mourinho even admitting his side got away with the scoreline not becoming heavier and that the tie is consequently far from finished.
“Stunning scoreline, 1-3. As Jose says, it’s not over, but up to Rangers to finish the job off at Ibrox,” TV and radio presenter White posted.
Rangers have no domestic fixture before returning to Ibrox for the second leg, allowing Ferguson and his squad the crucial tunnel-vision approach to complete the tie and take momentum from a terrific display.
Fenerbahce do enjoy the same luxury without a Super Lig match this weekend, not facing a domestic clash until 16 March when they face Samsunspor – Rangers visiting Celtic in the Old Firm derby the same day.
Rangers can restore season under Ferguson
Rangers have utterly faltered domestically this season – it has been atrocious to watch at times, never mind what has unfolded off the pitch. The Copland Road debacle and starting the season at Hampden Park is just shudder-worthy.
Now, with Ferguson replacing Philippe Clement, the aim is to inject a degree of passion back into proceedings which, despite a limited coaching career so far, comes from an individual who bleeds blue – and that is exactly what is required at present.
Plenty is developing behind the scenes as various Rangers shareholders mull over doing business with 49ers Enterprises and their interested US-based consortium to take over at Ibrox.
| Date | Barry Ferguson – Rangers games managed | Result |
| 26 February | Kilmarnock (A) | W 4-2 |
| 1 March | Motherwell (H) | L 1-2 |
| 6 March | Fenerbahce (A) | W 3-1 |
In the meantime, the sole focus for Ferguson and the players simply must be football, and European football to boot. The squad have shown their true capability, and that is what makes this season so frustrating on the whole in terms of frank inconsistency.
But without a league fixture this weekend, that positive excitement of European cup fever can stick around a bit longer, and Rangers fans’ Saturdays and Sundays can be a little less emotionally chaotic for a change.