Credit: Football on TNT Sports - X

Dan Godfrey

Fri 7 March 2025 6:40, UK

Ally McCoist was left stunned by an early moment between Rangers and Fenerbahce as the Europa League tie began with a bang.

Barry Ferguson came toe-to-toe with Jose Mourinho as the Gers made the trip to Istanbul and claimed an excellent 3-1 win (6 March), before Fenerbahce head to Ibrox for part two next Thursday.

Rangers have enjoyed some of their best moments in a frustrating campaign in the respite of the Europa League, the knockout stages for which they qualified through finishing in the top eight of 36 league phase competitors.

Dessers moment leaves McCoist open-mouthed – ‘Incredible’

Rangers wasted no time in getting onto the front foot of the first leg in Turkiye, as they attacked at will on the instruction of Ferguson.

And it came to a reward inside the first seven minutes, as Cyriel Dessers continued his terrific recent goalscoring form to finish off Vaclav Cerny’s fine play.

Dessers equalled his total of 22 goals from last season on the night, coming into his own as he spearheads Ferguson’s attack.

He was desperately unlucky not to add two more, with a pair of marginal VAR offside calls not going in his favour.

Rangers legend McCoist, co-commentating live on TNT Sports (6 March), described the attacking play and pressure from the Light Blues as “incredible”.

“I thought Soyuncu had done unbelievably well but clearly we didn’t have the best angle. Diomande does exceptionally well, and then it’s really poor defending,” McCoist said.

“Cerny does really well, Dessers takes a lovely touch and you can see from that angle, just over the line. It’s really poor play from Szymanski, Cerny’s all over him – it’s a lovely touch with the left foot and an even better one with the right foot.

“It’s just crossed the line. It must be so tight. Do you know what’s incredible about the finish? If he puts it anywhere across the goal, the defender clears it – it had to be towards the near post and it’s a goal. Excellent.”

Rangers enjoying a reborn Dessers up top

Rangers have certainly enjoyed the fruit of the labours of Dessers in recent weeks, when it seemed he would be leaving Ibrox in January.

The Nigerian international had been in and out of the Rangers side under Philippe Clement but has been entrusted to become prolific under Ferguson, just adding that extra step to his game.

Dessers broke the 20-goal barrier last campaign but was still the subject of scrutiny from Ibrox supporters due to the equal amount of chances he would miss each week.

But now he looks full of confidence and in an inspired place, having recently turned 30 and perhaps feeling less pressure under a new stewardship in the dugout.

Rangers as a whole ought to feel a bit of a weight lifted given that their domestic hopes are over, with the Europa League the sole excitement of what remains of the campaign and the Fenerbahce tie certainly a winnable one over the two legs.

Time to finish the job in a disciplined manner at Ibrox, because Fener still boast a glittering array of attacking talent.