Ally McCoist saw Jose Mourinho do something 'unbelievable' to Rangers fans after Fenerbahce win

03/13/2025 07:15 PM

You can always rely on Jose Mourinho to catch the eye. And, as the Rangers players and coaching staff were joined in jubilant celebration, Ally McCoist could not help but glance over at the Fenerbahce boss.

On a frustrating night for the two-time Champions League winner, the man in the visiting Ibrox dugout for the first time in a competitive setting saw his hopes of a sixth European crown go up in smoke.

Despite Fenerbahce triumphing 2-0 on the night, the Turkish giants could not get the job done. Sebastian Szymanski’s stunning volley right at the end of the first half, followed by his stabbed second on 73 minutes, had Rangers on the ropes.

But Barry Ferguson’s charges dug in, showing the sort of togetherness and discipline which was found wanting so often towards the end of the Phillipe Clement era.

• READ MORE:Rangers Europa League Record Since 2017

Ally McCoist spots ‘unbelievable’ Jose Mourinho moment in Rangers triumph

One can only imagine how Mourinho will react in what is bound to be a blockbuster press conference.

Waving his arms furiously into the vague shape of a rectangle, the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid boss was almost pleading for a penalty in extra time when Nico Raskin clipped a Fenerbahce player on the heel inside the penalty area.

He went down easily, yes. But it certainly entered ‘you’ve seen them given’ territory.

But, after Jack Butland’s heroics in the resulting penalty shootout sent Rangers into the Europa League semi-finals for the second time in four years, Mourinho was nothing if not graceful in defeat.

Well, at least he was in the immediate aftermath anyway.

Ally McCoist, the legendary Rangers striker who must have wanted to vault himself off the commentary gantry and down into the terraces, could not help but notice Mourinho’s classy gesture to the home fans on his way over to the away end.

“I am just going to say something I thought was unbelievable,” McCoist says, straining to make himself heard over the din. “Mourinho took his players over there and, on his way, he was given a wonderful, wonderful reception from the main stands at Ibrox, which he greatly appreciated.

“He gave them a wave. Lovely gesture.”

Mourinho classy but Jack Butland ‘phenomenal’ at Ibrox

Mourinho spoke warmly about his relationship with Rangers in the build-up to this enthralling last-16 tie. He was in charge of FC Porto when Martin O’Neill’s Celtic suffered UEFA Cup heartbreak back in 2003. That earned him a special place in the hearts of many at Ibrox.

His elegant response in the face of such a brutal defeat on the blue side of Glasgow – 22 years on – will only serve to further cement Mourinho’s legacy.

“They’ll have aged tonight, that’s for sure,” Stephen Thompson, himself a former Rangers forward, told BBC Radio Scotland. “As will most of the supporters inside this stadium!

“I’ve got to give them massive credit because, at 2-0 down heading into extra time, I feared for Rangers. But they managed to galvanise themselves and regain composure. They showed a lot of bravery, shown mostly by their captain James Tavernier.

“Rangers’ penalties were excellent and Jack Butland was phenomenal.”