New Rangers boss Barry Ferguson relishing 'hectic' build-up to Jose Mourinho clash in UEFA Europa League

React to this story

Barry Ferguson's Rangers will pay an intense visit to Istanbul to face Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce side in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Ferguson had hoped he would be relaxing poolside by now, but a sudden call following Phillipe Clement's dismissal will lead to the Scot standing across from one of the game's most high-profile coaches.

'A manager I have so much time for' - Ferguson relishing Mourinho 'challenge'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Barry Ferguson says he is "loving every minute" of his role as Rangers' caretaker manager, even if the job has interrupted his poolside respite.

The club thought they had found their man in the form of Phillipe Clement, but the Belgian presided over a flurry of domestic draws and losses this season and he was finally shown the door.

Ferguson, who played 431 times for The Gers, has been out of management for three years and did not envision being in the dugout for their UEFA Europa League game against Fenerbahce.

Transfers

Mudryk linked with surprise transfer - Paper Round

Yesterday at 09:08

"Lying beside a pool if I'm being brutally honest," Ferguson said when asked where he was meant to be before taking the job. "But I'm loving it. It's been a bit hectic there's no doubt about that."

His first match in charge saw Rangers beat Kilmarnock 4-2, but Sunday's Scottish Premiership match saw them lose 2-1 to Motherwell.

"I've enjoyed every single minute, albeit Sunday was really disappointing after a good result on Wednesday night. But it's great to be standing on the sidelines as Rangers' caretaker manager."

If becoming Rangers manager is simply a deviation from his spring plans, then standing across from Jose Mourinho on Thursday night will feel like a fever dream.

The Scots travel to Istanbul for a fiery clash with Mourinho's Fenerbahce in the cauldron-like arena that is the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

"I've got so much time for him in terms of what he's achieved in the game," Ferguson added. "It's a great challenge for myself, but it's not about me, it's about Rangers.

Highlights: Joyous Rangers sneak into top eight after nervy Ibrox victory

Video credit: TNT Sports

"It's about my team going and putting a performance on and trying to get a real positive result to take back to Glasgow.

"I say to players when they're playing against teams like this and you come up against managers like Mourinho, it's important to go and embrace it and enjoy it."

The Portuguese has come under immense scrutiny recently as a legal battle threatens to unfold around comments he made regarding Turkish officials.

Fenerbahce will no doubt be fired up by the noise, and it represents a chance for Rangers to shut them down.

"It's a great challenge for the boys because they've come under a lot of criticism, and rightly so at times and that'll hurt them," Ferguson continued.

"But some of the performances and levels that they've got to, they've shown that they can do that."

A deeper run in the Europa League, even if it does not result in a trophy, will do wonders for the psyche around Ibrox.

Celtic have run away with the league, but a handful of promising performances on the continent will go a long way to restoring some faith in the side.

Scottish or Turkish derbies? A 'system dominancy' in Turkey? Mourinho tells all

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ferguson added: "It's been a really disappointing season domestically, there's no getting away from that. But the Europa League has been really positive, and I need to try and keep that positivity going.

"But also domestically as well, because Rangers is built on winning games of football, and that's what I need to try and get us back doing.

"It was a huge bump for us on Saturday and if I'm honest, I didn't really see that coming. It's happened and we need to face up to it as players and me as a manager.

"Certainly we've done that over the last few days, had a few chats and done work on the training ground, and we're really positive ahead of the game."

How to watch Fenerbahce v Rangers

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

Fenerbahce host Rangers at the Ulker Stadium on Thursday, March 6.

Kick-off is at 17:45 UK time on TNT Sports 2, with live coverage beginning at 17:00.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

To find out where your local establishments showing TNT Sports are, use our Pub Finder tool.

Europa League

Pereira wants to create 'miracles' with Forest, Anderson eyes Europa League glory

25/02/2026 at 21:17

Europa League

How to watch Nottingham Forest v Fenerbahce in the UEFA Europa League

26/02/2026 at 09:31

Related Matches

Fenerbahçe

Rangers