CHRIS SUTTON does his best to talk up Scottish football.
But it’s not often he’s praising Rangers in doing so…
Cyriel Dessers celebrates with Vaclav Cerny on a memorable night for Rangers[/caption]
Barry Ferguson and Chris Sutton during their days as Old Firm rivals[/caption]
Sutton had some praise for Rangers tonight… in a way[/caption]
Well tonight he’s done just that – sort of.
Barry Ferguson‘s Gers emerged from Istanbul 3-1 winners after a brilliant triumph over Jose Mourinho‘s much-fancied Fenerbahce side.
Cyriel Dessers hit the net early on before Vaclav Cerny’s double.
Dessers also had two goals disallowed for marginal offside calls as they stunned the Turkish giants in the first leg of their last-16 Europa League tie.
Rangers legend Ally McCoist was in the commentary booth for TNT Sports while fellow pundit Chris Sutton watched on from afar.
The former Celtic star was clearly impressed by the job the Light Blues did in Turkey.
Sutton posted on Twitter (X): “Scottish football showing English football how to play in Europe…”
His comment came after both of England‘s participants in the Europa League failed to win.
Manchester United could only manage a draw 1-1 against Real Sociedad while Tottenham Hotspur lost 1-0 to AZ Alkmaar.
Chelsea recorded a 2-1 win in the Europa Conference League however and of course Arsenal and Liverpool won in the first leg of their Champions League matches.
However, punters were quick to notice that he didn’t mention Rangers by name.
One fan said: “Rangers showing the rest of Scotland how to play in Europe you mean.”
A second replied: “No, just Rangers.”
And a third said: “You mean Rangers. Come on Chris you’re allowed to say it.”
In a similar vein, this fan commented: “Can’t even bring yourself to say it can you?”
While another supporter joked: “Did Celtic play this week?”
And this fan said: “A compliment for rangers Chris? You feeling OK?”
Ferguson himself said after the game that he didn’t “outfox” Mourinho and warned his players about their troubling Ibrox form ahead of next week’s return leg.
He said: “It was a performance full of commitment and desire. Some of the football we played was really good.
“I thought we deserved to win and I’ve given the players a lot of credit in the dressing room.
“But we have to remember it’s only half-time in the tie.
“Fenerbahce have one of the best managers there has ever been.
“He will be hurting and I’m sure he’ll want to come to Ibrox next week with his team and try to beat us and get through to the last eight.
“I wouldn’t say I outfoxed him.
“He changed it, that’s what top managers do.
“He changed it quite early on and then changed it again in the second half, so you’ve always got to be thinking.
“We went with a formation tonight that I thought would get us a result. The boys haven’t played it before this season and we only spent one, or not even one hour, on it.
“But they took the information on and they put on a performance that I’ve got to be proud of.”
He then added: “Ibrox has been a problem as you know but we’ll enjoy tonight and I’ll give the boys a couple of days off that are well earned and then we’ll try and fix that problem.
“But I want to enjoy this moment just now. I just said in the dressing room there that we need to be ready for next Thursday but I’ll tell you something, I’ll have them ready.”
RANGERS PLAYER RATINGS
JACK BUTLAND: Indecision led to him taking out Robin Propper during a collision and he could’ve got a hand on equaliser. Superb save in injury-time could be key 7
RIDVAN YILMAZ: Back on home soil and played out of position as a right wing-back. Defended well and kept things sensible before being replaced by Dujon Sterling 7
JAMES TAVERNIER: Captain stepped inside from his usual right-back spot and used his experience to keep things calm. Defended well and showed common sense on the ball 8
JOHN SOUTTAR: Incredible block before break stopped a goal and he was a rock for Gers during the second half as Fenerbahce threw balls into box. Huge display. Booked 8
ROBIN PROPPER: Started on the left of the three central defenders and looked comfy until pole-axed by Butland after mix-up. Relief to see him able to walk off pitch 4
JEFTE: Caught out in an early Fenerbahce attack but switched on and played his part in a big team performance. Brazilian should have hit target on a first-half break 8
NICO RASKIN: Belgian midfielder’s approach set the tone for Gers. Produced an immense all-action display capped by a wonderful pass for Vaclav Cerny’s crucial third goal 9
CONNOR BARRON: Restored to the midfield to provide graft in the new-look system and did just that. Kept things simple on the ball and dovetailed well with Raskin 8
MOHAMED DIOMANDE: Showed bags of energy in a quick start and continued to be a lively presence in the middle. Was screaming for a pass from Cyriel Dessers on a wasted break 8
VACLAV CERNY: Aggressive pressing led to the Rangers opener as he relished a more central role and he showed great composure to claim a clinical double and secure the win 9
CYRIEL DESSERS: Sharp as a tack to grab his 22nd goal of the season before VAR robbed him of another two. Produced a brilliant assist for Cerny’s first in a top striking display 8
Subs: LEON BALOGUN (7) on after Propper’s head knock and was solid for Gers. IANIS HAGI (5) replaced the tiring Diomande for the last 15 minutes. DUJON STERLING (5) provided a physical presence on right in crucial finale. TOM LAWRENCE (3) on late. HAMZA IGAMANE (3) asked to be a nuisance.
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