‘Calm down, it’s not over’, Mourinho warns Rangers

If only Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce players had delivered a performance as accomplished as the one he offered up.

After watching his side burgled in their own home by an increasingly familiar Rangers away Europa League display, the Portuguese landed far more blows on the visitors than his team had managed.

Rangers should “calm down”. The tie is “not over”. Fenerbahce were “bad everywhere”. They made “incredible, incredible mistakes”.

The Scottish Premiership side were “as pragmatic as I was expecting”. They defended “basically well” and wasted time with “20 injuries”. Goalkeeper Jack Butland “took 30 seconds every time he had the ball in his hands”.

He was referring to the fact Rangers had two Cyriel Dessers goals ruled out for offside after VAR reviews as the hosts struggled to quell their threat on the break.

Ultimately, Barry Ferguson’s side had to settle for a Vaclav Cerny double to add to Dessers ‘ early opener.

But, despite their domestic troubles, they are still well placed to set up a last-eight tie with either Roma or Athletic Bilbao. Not that Mourinho agrees, of course.

“For me, I have to say that we deserved a punishment of this result”, he said. “But if someone wants to ask me if it’s over, no, I don’t think it’s over.

” The only thing I tell this is don’t celebrate too much, because there is a second match to play, that’s my only advice.

Rangers interim head coach Ferguson agreed, albeit his words carried a little less flourish than those of his feted counterpart.

Little wonder. This was a man in just his third game as Rangers manager and with only some underwhelming stints in the Scottish third and fourth tiers to call upon.

He might have won his first match after replacing Philippe Clement – his side coming from two down at Kilmarnock just eight days ago – but that was followed by an abject home defeat on Saturday at the hands of struggling Motherwell.

However, Ferguson and his coaching team watched their selection decisions pay off, with the move to a back three not only making them more robust but also giving them options on the break.

“I just thought I had to change the shape and it was a gamble I was prepared to take because I thought we could get a result”, the former club captain said.

“It’s easy, when you score a couple of goals and they get disallowed, to start feeling sorry for yourself. But they kept going and stuck to the game plan.

” We’ve got to remember, it’s only half-time in the tie because Fenerbahce have got one of the best managers that’s ever been.

Opening scorer Cyriel Dessers: “This is a very good feeling. It was a beautiful night but we’re well aware we’re only halfway there. We have to enjoy this evening. To come to a difficult place against a good team and win should give us confidence”.

Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield on Sportsound: “Everybody looks down on Scottish football and clubs and players that play in Scotland but it’s proven time and time again that this club rises to the occasion in Europe.

” You just come to expect it on a Thursday night… I said they just have to stay in the tie, but they’ve done more than that. They are in the driving seat now. “

Former Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst on TNT Sports:” Perfect, perfect performance. Really proud of the team, really proud of Barry and his staff. “

Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton on TNT Sports:” They always had that threat. Barry Ferguson surprised a lot of people with that formation but it worked an absolute treat. “

Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist on TNT Sports:” Wee Barry should be and he will be extremely proud of those boys. “

What did you make of Rangers ‘ performance? And what do you think about Jose Mourinho’s comments?