Rangers interim boss Barry Ferguson believes his players will need to embrace a “different mindset” if they are to finish the job against Fenerbahce and reach the Europa League quarter-finals.
A stunning performance in Istanbul last week gives Rangers a 3-1 lead going into the second leg but the Turkish giants are set on turning the tie around in Glasgow.
Ferguson watched from the sidelines as the team struggled for consistency under Philippe Clement this season, and has seen he bad side as well as the good in the brief time since he succeeded the Belgian in the dugout.
Home form has been an issue for Rangers in recent months, with defeats to Queen’s Park, St Mirren and Motherwell at Ibrox. Against big name opposition, he says his team needs to show the right attitude and get the stadium working in their favour.
“We have to have a different mindset at Ibrox,” Ferguson said. “That’s been a big issue at times this season.
“That’s something I’m tasked with trying to change. The boys are taking everything we are giving them on board. From what I’ve seen it’s going well.
“See if you can get this place rocking, it’s a proper place to play football. Some of these guys have played in Euro nights here and if you go out with the right attitude there’s no better place.
“We need to stand tall, go head-to-head with Fenerbahce and I certainly believe my group of players know what’s going to come at them.
“You have got to want to play in front of this crowd. I’ve been here when it’s been Lyon, Tottenham.. the place is electric.
“We need to light that fire in the stands. I can’t wait. You have to be excited about this and embrace the challenge. My players are ready for it.
Ferguson believes Fenerbahce will be “hurting” after a lacklustre home performance and will look to throw everything at their hosts on Thursday night. He stressed his admiration for Jose Mourinho and believes the iconic manager will have his team ready to put on the pressure.
“I expect Fenerbahce to come for us,” he said. “They are 3-1 down.
“We are prepared for that. They like to get balls into the box so my back two, three or five need to be prepared for that. We have covered all sorts of scenarios.”
The interim Rangers boss said he hadn’t thought any further ahead than his short-term contract to the end of the season and insisted his focus was on building consistency in the team’s performances. He admitted that reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League would be a proud moment but was aware there was a lot to be done to complete that job.
“To get into the last eight would be a fantastic achievement but we still have 90 minutes to play,” he said. “There was no chance we were going to get carried away after last week.
“The job was half done and we need to complete that job tomorrow.”
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