Cyriel Dessers scores for Rangers against FenerbahcePA Media

Cyriel Dessers scored and assisted another for Rangers in Istanbul

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

Rangers stunned Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce with a superb first-leg win in Istanbul, which gives the Scottish Premiership side an excellent chance of reaching the Europa League quarter-finals.

Cyriel Dessers capitalised on a defensive lapse early on to squeeze a shot over the line before Caglar Soyuncu could hack the ball clear.

Youssef En-Nesyri and Eden Dzeko threatened to bring the hosts level before Alexander Djiku did bring them back on terms with a stunning volley.

Barry Ferguson's visitors appeared to have lost their early momentum but they found themselves back in front with a superbly executed goal, Vaclav Cerny finishing following a one-two with Dessers.

Dessers netted twice more in the second half as Rangers proved a real threat on the break, but was found to be offside on both occasions by VAR.

However Cerny did get Rangers' third, finishing a superb counter with a cool finish to earn a splendid victory and maintain the Ibrox side's fine European run of form.

Interim head coach Ferguson sprung a surprise by deviating from a back four, with Ridvan Yilmaz as right wing-back and James Tavernier on the right of a three.

And Rangers were dealt a gift when Mohamed Diomande pounced on Sebastian Szymanski's slackness and Dessers rounded Egribayat to finish.

The visitors' positive start was almost undone when Robin Propper and goalkeeper Jack Butland collided on the edge of the box, John Souttar coming to their rescue.

Propper came off worst and had to be replaced. And, within minutes, Rangers had lost their advantage as Nico Raskin's wayward header was swept home by Djiku.

Rangers were now looking to hit on the break and one such attack paid off as Cerny exchanged passes with Dessers to angle a low shot past Egribayat.

More questionable defending allowed Dessers to force in after a Jefte shot was blocked but the travelling fans' celebrations were halted when replays revealed Dessers' shoulder had been ahead of the last defender.

Rangers tried again, though, and Jefte released Dessers to force past Egribayat again. Again there was a lengthy pause and again the hosts were given a reprieve.

But Fenerbahce could only watch on as Raskin, deep in his own half, released Cerny to speed beyond the defence and slot home.

Rangers save best for Europe again

Some tinkering to Rangers' system had been long overdue, with the side having not kept a clean sheet in five weeks and falling two behind in their previous two outings.

The switch offered some advantages defensively but the formation's principle aim was to carry a threat on the counter, as exemplified by the Cerny double.

While Rangers may have belied their status as underdogs, the result and display are not entirely surprising, given their wins in Malmo and Nice earlier in the competition and solid home victories against FCSB and Union Saint-Gilloise.

There's still work to be done to reach the last eight but, with no domestic fixture this weekend, Ferguson and his players have a week to prepare for the second leg and the chance to set up a quarter-final meeting with Roma or Athletic Bilbao.

Vaclav CernyReuters

Fenerbahce not out of it yet

Mourinho was, as ever, good value in the run-up to this game and will likely hold a captive audience when Fenerbahce travel to Glasgow next week.

He certainly has the nous - and the players - to turn the tie around at Ibrox.

Captain Dzeko looked particularly dangerous, while second-half sub Allan Saint-Maximin's dangerous delivery was nodded just wide by En-Nesyri, who was later foiled by Butland. Anderson Talisca also tested the keeper.

And with Fred free from suspension to bolster Mourinho's options next week, the decider is all set up for a fascinating contest.

What they said

'My only advice, calm down' - Mourinho after Rangers defeat

Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho: "We were very bad everywhere. I don't think it's fair to say we were bad defensively because we were very bad everywhere.

"Maybe you laugh but for me it was a good result because of the way we performed, the result could have been bigger than this one. If someone wants to ask me if it's over, no, I don't think it's over."

Rangers interim head coach Barry Ferguson: "I thought it was a really good performance. They gave me everything that I asked for. They took every single thing that me and my coaching staff went over on the training ground.

"Overall, it's a brilliant result but there's no way that I'm getting carried away. This is only half-time in the tie."

'Brilliant result but I'm not getting carried away' - Ferguson

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