Europa League: Jose Mourinho warns Rangers after win over Fenerbahce

Rangers interim head coach Ferguson agreed, albeit his words carried a little less flourish than those of his feted counterpart.

Little wonder. This was a man in just his third game as Rangers manager and with only some underwhelming stints in the Scottish third and fourth tiers to call upon.

He might have won his first match after replacing Philippe Clement – his side coming from two down at Kilmarnock just eight days ago – but that was followed by an abject home defeat on Saturday at the hands of struggling Motherwell.

However, Ferguson and his coaching team watched their selection decisions pay off, with the move to a back three not only making them more robust but also giving them options on the break.

“I just thought I had to change the shape and it was a gamble I was prepared to take because I thought we could get a result,” the former club captain said.

“It’s easy, when you score a couple of goals and they get disallowed, to start feeling sorry for yourself. But they kept going and stuck to the game plan.

“We’ve got to remember, it’s only half-time in the tie because Fenerbahce have got one of the best managers that’s ever been.

“There’s no way we think we’re into the last eight. Playing at Ibrox has been a bit of a problem, but we’ll enjoy tonight and then try to fix that problem.”