The Europa League again proved Rangers’ sanctuary during a dismal season as they shocked Fenerbahce in the first leg of their last-16 tie in Istanbul.
Barry Ferguson’s European coaching debut was against Jose Mourinho’s title-chasing side who were unbeaten in 18, and the visitors took a shock lead early on.
The ball dropped to Cyriel Dessers after some terrible defending allowing the striker to round goalkeeper Irfan Can Egribayat and squeeze the ball home.
Jose Mourinho greets Barry Ferguson before kick off
Alexander Djiku levelled in style just minutes after coming off the bench but Vaclav Cerny fired in from a brilliant Dessers ball before the break to put the visitors back in front.
Cyriel Dessers had two goals ruled out for offside but, after Fenerbahce failed to take advantage of Rangers’ tiring legs, Cerny put the game out of reach after a brilliant counter-attack.
The Scottish Premiership side take an unlikely lead back to Ibrox for next week’s second leg as they look to keep their European campaign alive with their domestic hopes already over.
Thrilling Thursdays
There was an ear-splitting noise of whistles and boos from the home fans as the visitors, playing five at the back, kept early possession, then silence when Dessers struck.
The Gers forward latched on to the ball at the edge of the box, with midfielder Mohamed Diomande involved in the press, and rounded Egribayat to squeeze the ball over the line with defender Caglar Soyuncu’s clearance too late.
Mourinho’s side had stars such as Edin Dzeko and Youssef En-Nesyri in the side, and in the 18th minute the latter flashed a Filip Kostic cut-back high over the bar before Butland made a great save from a Dzeko drive.
Butland then caught Propper in the head just outside his own box as Rangers clumsily defended a long ball and the Dutchman had to be replaced by Leon Balogun.
Alexander Djiku fired Fenerbahce level
Rangers soon conceded with Djiku, on for Soyuncu, brilliantly hooking the ball past Butland from eight yards after a Sebastian Szymanski corner made its way to the back post.
Just before the break Cerny broke with purpose, played a one-two with Dessers and slotted in a left-footed shot from six yards.
In added time, after Nicolas Raskin had missed the target for the Govan side, returning Gers defender John Souttar bravely stuck his head in the way of a Mert Muldur thunderbolt for a corner which came to nothing.
Vaclav Cerny celebrates scoring Rangers’ second goal with Cyriel Dessers
Dessers had the ball in the Fenerbahce net six minutes into the second half but a VAR check ruled him offside, which gave heart to the home side and their excitable fans – as did the next goal he had chalked off minutes later, again for offside, which breathed life into the Turkish club.
Muldur missed a header from close range but Rangers retained their threat on the break and in the 69th minute Dessers was crowded out in the box when presented with another chance.
Butland had to deal with several unconvincing finishes by the Turkish outfit before Raskin sent Cerny clear with a superb through ball and he calmly netted to make it one of the great European nights for Rangers.
