Parlour reacts to Brazil question after Rangers win v Fenerbahce, ‘Cup final’
Alan Brazil was shocked to see Rangers secure a 3-1 win away to Fenerbahce on Thursday.
The Gers travelled to Turkyie on 6 March and managed to secure a famous win over Jose Mourinho in Istanbul.
An early Cyriel Dessers strike was added to by a Vaclav Cerny brace which will see the Light Blues take a two goal advantage back to Govan.
As positive as this result is for the G51 club, questions have been asked by Brazil after what has happened at Ibrox in recent weeks.
Ray Parlour reacts to Brazil as Rangers form questioned
It is fair to say that, whoever the manager is, the Gers always appear to turn up and perform at a top level in European competition.
This was certainly the case earlier in the campaign with a superb win over Nice and was echoed away in Turkyie.
There was so much quality on show from the Light Blues throughout the first leg at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium which was a far cry from recent defeats against the likes of Motherwell and St Mirren.
This fact was brought up by Brazil live on talkSPORT (7 March, 6:10am) as he questioned why the Govan club perform so much better on the continent.
He said: “In Europe, they’re a different side. I wasn’t expecting that but you’ve got to ask yourself, how can Rangers go to Turkey and get a result like that when they’re losing to Queens Park and Motherwell? Why?”
Ray Parlour has a theory as to why this is the case at Ibrox. he said: “I think most teams would step up when they play Rangers and Celtic, it’s like their cup final.
“Maybe the European sides look at Rangers and think they can just turn up and beat them and they’re surprising teams.”
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The Gers have struggled up against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership for years, often leaving little to play for on the domestic front.
As a result, a lot of importance has been placed on European competition and that was certainly on show on Thursday with an excellent win away against Fenerbahce.
Dessers was excellent up front while Cerny continued his positive form this campaign with a superb brace, including an excellent breakaway goal for his second.
It was a lesson in taking your chances when they come as the home side ultimately had more possession and chances but didn’t make them count.
| Stat | Fenerbache | Rangers |
| Possession | 64 | 36 |
| Shots | 23 | 8 |
| Passes | 486 | 250 |
| Corners | 11 | 3 |
It does beg the question why the Light Blues would ever lose to the likes of Queens Park and Motherwell but it is a completely different style of play.
Being the underdog suits Ferguson’s men and they will hope that can carry them to yet another Europa League final.