Rangers star earns 'immense' billing from Barry Ferguson after Fenerbahce - and its not Jack Butland
03/14/2025 06:00 AM
In terms of stand-out performers over the two legs, Rangers defeating Fenerbahce in a tense penalty shoot-out at Ibrox, well, take your pick.
John Souttar and Leon Balogun were outstanding. Nico Raskin was ‘world-class’ during the first leg in Istanbul and again formed a formidable partnership with the revitalised Connor Barron in Glasgow.
Vaclav Cerny gave Jose Mourinho nightmares with a Sukru Saracoglu brace a week ago, and followed that up with another sparkling display on home soil.
As for the man who set Barry Ferguson’s side on their way to the quarter-finals with a goal six minutes into the tie, Cyriel Dessers produced his ‘best all-round game for Rangers’ while taking his tally to the season to 22.
Of course, all the headlines on Friday morning were about one man in particular. Jack Butland denied Dusan Tadic and Fred from the spot. A towering, talismanic performance from a goalkeeper many were writing off after another high-profile error a fortnight ago.
Butland provided a timely reminder of his ‘quality’ – Rangers’ interim boss Ferguson said amid the post-match delirium – but he wasn’t the only one.
Barry Ferguson pays tribute to ‘immense’ Rangers captain James Tavernier
Question marks about the quality of his defending have dogged the Rangers skipper over the years.
But, as James Tavernier denied Edin Dzeko with a fabulous last-ditch tackle when the hosts were hanging on by their fingernails, the right-back turned right-sided centre-half once again made his presence felt in a role he has taken to like the proverbial duck to water on Ferguson’s watch.
Tavernier also got Rangers off the mark in the shoot out as he rattled into the bottom corner.
So, as far as Ferguson is concerned, those hoping he would remove the long-serving Tavernier from his XI – and maybe even remove the captain’s armband – can go and take their gripes elsewhere.
“He’s been immense since I’ve come in,” the interim boss tells reporters as Rangers set up a quarter-final clash with Athletic Bilbao. “There’s a lot of clamour to change him. There was no way I was changing him after I spoke to him.
“And on the Monday night, when everything was agreed by myself to come in, I looked him in the eyes and I knew he was the guy to lead this club when I was in charge.
“Obviously I’m going to be in charge for three months. And I think, since I’ve took over, he’s been a leader and you’ve seen that tonight. He was driving his players on, his teammates on, and that’s what I want to see from a captain.
“He’s been certainly a captain material since I’ve took over this job.”
- READ MORE:Rangers Europa League Record Since 2017
Tavernier credits Jack Butland as he soaks in Ibrox atmosphere
Only John Souttar with 15 completed more clearances on the night than Tavernier.
"The big man [Butland] pulled off some great saves in the shoot out and throughout the game," a breathless Tavernier beamed during a jubilant on-pitch interview.
"We did it the hard way but we made it you can see what it means to the cow, the players, these are the special nights in European football you can't replace.
"We didn't actually practice [penalties] this week! Maybe that helped!"
