The Europa League once more proved Rangers’ sanctuary throughout a dismal season as they shocked Fenerbahce within the first leg of their last-16 tie in Istanbul.
Barry Ferguson’s European teaching debut was in opposition to Jose Mourinho’s title-chasing facet who have been unbeaten in 18, and the guests took a shock lead early on.
The ball dropped to Cyriel Dessers after some horrible defending permitting the striker to spherical goalkeeper Irfan Can Egribayat and squeeze the ball dwelling.
Alexander Djiku levelled in model simply minutes after coming off the bench however Vaclav Cerny fired in from an excellent Dessers ball earlier than the break to place the guests again in entrance.
Cyriel Dessers had two targets dominated out for offside however, after Fenerbahce didn’t make the most of Rangers’ tiring legs, Cerny put the sport out of attain after an excellent counter-attack.
The Scottish Premiership facet take an unlikely lead again to Ibrox for subsequent week’s second leg as they appear to maintain their European marketing campaign alive with their home hopes already over.
Thrilling Thursdays
There was an ear-splitting noise of whistles and boos from the house followers because the guests, enjoying 5 on the again, stored early possession, then silence when Dessers struck.
The Gers ahead latched on to the ball on the fringe of the field, with midfielder Mohamed Diomande concerned within the press, and rounded Egribayat to squeeze the ball over the road with defender Caglar Soyuncu’s clearance too late.
Mourinho’s facet had stars similar to Edin Dzeko and Youssef En-Nesyri within the facet, and within the 18th minute the latter flashed a Filip Kostic cut-back excessive over the bar earlier than Butland made a terrific save from a Dzeko drive.
Butland then caught Propper within the head simply outdoors his personal field as Rangers clumsily defended an extended ball and the Dutchman had to get replaced by Leon Balogun.
Alexander Djiku fired Fenerbahce degree
Rangers quickly conceded with Djiku, on for Soyuncu, brilliantly hooking the ball previous Butland from eight yards after a Sebastian Szymanski nook made its option to the again publish.
Simply earlier than the break Cerny broke with objective, performed a one-two with Dessers and slotted in a left-footed shot from six yards.
In added time, after Nicolas Raskin had missed the goal for the Govan facet, returning Gers defender John Souttar bravely caught his head in the best way of a Mert Muldur thunderbolt for a nook which got here to nothing.
Vaclav Cerny celebrates scoring Rangers’ second aim with Cyriel Dessers
Dessers had the ball within the Fenerbahce web six minutes into the second half however a VAR examine dominated him offside, which gave coronary heart to the house facet and their excitable followers – as did the subsequent aim he had chalked off minutes later, once more for offside, which breathed life into the Turkish membership.
Muldur missed a header from shut vary however Rangers retained their menace on the break and within the 69th minute Dessers was crowded out within the field when introduced with one other probability.
Butland needed to cope with a number of unconvincing finishes by the Turkish outfit earlier than Raskin despatched Cerny clear with an outstanding by ball and he calmly netted to make it one of many nice European nights for Rangers.
