UEFA Europa League: Barry Ferguson hails Rangers for showing 'character' in 'nerve-wracking' Fenerbahce win

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Rangers head coach Barry Ferguson has credited his Rangers side for stepping up to overcome their UEFA Europa League second-leg defeat to Fenerbahce and advance to the quarter-finals on penalties. Jack Butland made two saves in a "nerve-wracking" shoot-out at a lively Ibrox Stadium and Ferguson was delighted with his players. "They showed character in abundance tonight," he told TNT Sports.

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Barry Ferguson has praised his Rangers players who "showed character" to overcome Fenerbahce in "nerve-wracking" circumstances and reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

Despite leading by two goals after the first leg, the Jose Mourinho-led Turkish outfit won 2-0 on Thursday at Ibrox Stadium to force extra-time, which eventually led to penalties.

But Jack Butland was the hero as he saved two penalties, before Mert Hakan Yandas fired his decisive effort over the bar which confirmed Rangers' place in the last eight.

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"It was nerve-wracking," Rangers boss Ferguson told TNT Sports after the match.

"Looking back on the game, you get so involved on the sidelines but I think there were a couple of things we could have done better for the goals.

"They showed character in abundance tonight and we have to do that going forward. Overall I'm just delighted to be in the quarters.

Tavernier reveals Rangers didn’t practice penalties prior to Fenerbahce clash

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"One thing I think has been missing is character. One thing the players are doing is they're listening. We've still got to work at a lot of things, but that tonight is what my teams are built on.

"When you play against really good teams, they're going to hurt you in stages and you have to let them have the ball.

"I'm proud of the players and I'm just delighted for the club as a whole."

Rangers will play Athletic Club for a spot in the semi-finals as they bid to reach the final again for the second time since 2022.

One man the Scots can thank is goalkeeper Butland, who denied Dusan Tadic and former Manchester United team-mate Fred from 12 yards as Rangers clinched a 3-2 shoot-out win.

"I was delighted with how they finished the game and then you go into penalties and I'm delighted for Jack [Butland]," Ferguson added. "He showed his quality.

"The fans are loving it. These nights are special. I thought the fans stuck behind the players.

"They need to realise what this club's all about. They don't always play well, but the one thing the fans demand is effort.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"I never practise penalties," he added. "I said to the players, 'You decide; I'm not going to decide who's taking the penalties.'

"I know they're good players, but it takes more than a good player at Rangers, that's something we're trying to drill into them. Tonight was a big test for them and I think they came through it.

"It's easy for your head to go down at 2-0 but they never gave in."

TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024/25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.

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