Rangers player ratings vs Fenerbahce: 10/10 Super Jack Butland in goals

03/13/2025 06:54 PM

Barry Ferguson started 2025 taking it easy behind a microphone only to find himself in charge of Rangers and taking on Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho.

The interim Rangers manager has been blessed with a fully fit squad to work with and after outwitting Mourinho in Turkey, went with the same again other than a couple of changes in personnel.

With a 3-1 lead heading into the tie at Ibrox it was always going to be a “stick or twist” kind of game with the home side nowhere near as clinical as they were in Istanbul, here are your Rangers player ratings for the Europa League clash with Fenerbahce.

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Rangers player ratings vs Fenerbahce

Rangers usually save their best for Thursday nights this season but struggled to find the same cutting edge as they did in the first leg, and this is how they rated:

Jack Butland – 10

Had little to do until the 45th minute when Fenerbahce opened the scoring with a similar goal to the first leg in terms of quality of finish.

Handling was good and commanded his area, but there was nothing he could do with the goals.

Was hampered by James Tavernier in front of him for Fenerbahce’s second.

Performed heroics in the penalty shoot out, with as good a series of saves as ever seen by a Rangers keeper – single handedly won the game for Rangers.

Jefte – 6

Preferred to Ridvan Yilmaz, the young Brazilian seemed to thrive in the left wing-back role with more license to get forward and more protection behind him.

Looks like he has been getting a bit of help on the training ground given the improvement in his awareness at the back post with his aerial ability coming in useful too.

Went to ground and didn’t win possession at the worst possible time to allow Fenerbahce to draw level in the tie.

James Tavernier – 8

Like Jefte, has looked more comfortable with a bit more help on either side of him and might yet have a future at centre-half as Father Time catches up with him.

Was unlucky to see the cross for the visitor’s opener deflect over his head when he was in a good position to deal with it.

Could have done better with Fenerbahce’s second goal, but did make a timely block on Edin Dzeko.

Incredible tackle in injury time to stop Rangers being knocked out with another in the 120th minute too.

Tav does what Tav does from the spot to set Rangers on their way.

Leon Balogun – 6

Started like a man possessed being able to follow his man and attack every ball that got played into his channel.

Picked up a yellow card pressing five-yards outside Fenerbahce’s box which left him walking a tightrope.

Wasn’t as assured in the second half as the visitors looked to attack the channel in behind him.

John Souttar – 6

Is the perfect centre-half for a back three, the system allowed him to be aggressive attacking the ball and control possession.

Unfortunate to be booked shortly before half-time stopping an attack.

Became panic mode defending with Rangers struggling to hold onto the ball as the defensive line dropped deeper and lost a bit of his usual composure.

Nicolas Raskin – 7

Jumped on Fred as soon as the former Man Utd midfielder gained possession and was never too far away from Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande.

As with in Turkey, covered every blade of grass blunting Fenerbahce attacks and got into the box looking to get his team a goal, always put Rangers on the front foot.

Wasn’t as influential in the second period as Fener turned the screw but on work rate alone was outstanding.

Mohamed Diomande – 7

Arguably the best midfielder on show in the first half dictating the tempo of his sides attack especially on the left-hand side with Jefte an ever willing runner.

Referee bought an example of the dark arts Ferguson warned about when Diomande was booked for a challenge despite being nowhere near a Fenerbahce defender.

Connor Barron – 8

Was as good as he has been in a Rangers shirt in the first half, partnering Nicolas Raskin to close space and win back possession.

The summer signing was brave with the ball at his feet too, looking to play the ball into Cerny and Dessers before getting up to support.

Lovely ball on the hour mark to play in Cerny but the defence recovered in time.

Vaclav Cerny – 7

Started brightly as Rangers looked for the Czechia winger whenever possession was turned over, went with the wrong foot when Jefte cut the ball back to him although the fullback right have been offside.

Took too many touches on a couple of occasions when there was a chance to get a shot away but was pivotal in the first 45 minutes turning the opposition defence and driving into the box – if something was going to happen for Rangers, it was going to involve Cerny.

Didn’t have his shooting boots on in the second half and ran out of legs when he found himself clean through, if only had the pace of a Rabbi Matondo or Fasion Sakala.

Nearly found the top corner from 25 yards in extra time only to be denied by a stunning stop.

Dujon Sterling – 6

Picked ahead of Ridvan, was booked for an accumulation of fouls even though he hadn’t made any.

Half blocked the cross for the opener only for it to loop over the head of Tavernier.

Had a couple of nice attacking runs in the second period but the amounted to nothing and was replaced by Ridvan.

Cyriel Dessers – 5

Not quite as dominant as he was in Turkey but still kept the Fenerbahce defence honest as he looked to link with Vaclav Cerny.

Booked for arguing with the referee about Diomande’s yellow card which was understandable given how bad it was.

Won a few free kicks in the second half but was largely ineffective.

Substitutes

Hamza Igamane – 6

Nearly levelled the scores with his first touch drawing a good save from the keeper low to his left, should have been on a lot sooner given his ability to beat players with the ball at his feet and bring others into play.

Got into some good positions, however, needs to learn when to pass and when to shoot.

Nedim Bajrami – 5

On for Diomande as he started to tire and Rangers midfield immediately looked more porous as a result, couldn’t get up to speed.

Showed some nice touches in open play but chose the wrong decision on a couple of occasions.

Ianis Hagi – 5

Ferguson changed shape and brought on the Istanbul born playmaker hoping that he would be able to make the difference and find a moment of magic.

Worked hard but spent more time doing shuttles rather than dictating play.

Saw the keeper save his penalty with what was more a good save than a bad spot-kick.

Tom Lawrence – 6

Replaced Barron in injury time and provided a different type of midfield outlet to the more aggressive Scot.

Key intervention on the stroke of half-time of extra-time as he swept up behind Butland preventing a certain goal.

Took his penalty well.