Rangers defeat Fenerbahce to take step towards Europa League quarter-final

Rangers have defeated Fenerbahce 3-1 in the first-leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

They will now defend a two-goal lead in the return game at Ibrox next week after taking a big step towards the quarter-finals.

As well as scoring three goals they also had another two ruled out in what was an impressive display away from home against an experienced Fenerbahce side.

Cyriel Dessers handed Rangers an early lead when he scored after just six minutes to make it 1-0 in Istanbul.

The Nigeria forward latched on to a loose ball inside the box before rounding the keeper and knocking the ball in to give the away side a perfect start.

It initially looked as though Fenerbahce defender Caglar Soyuncu had cleared it just in time but goal-line technology confirmed it had crossed the line.

Alexander Djiku, who replaced Soyuncu after just 16 minutes, struck on the half hour mark to equalise for Jose Mourinho’s side.

Barry Ferguson was also forced into an early change when he brought on Leon Balogun for Robin Propper after the Dutchman suffered an injury in the first half.

Rangers found themselves in front again towards the end of the half when Vaclav Cerny finished off a fine move to make it 2-1.

The Czech winger charged forward after picking the ball up just inside the Fenerbahce half before playing a one-two with Dessers and slotting the ball past Egribayat on the 42nd minute for his 16th goal of the season.

Rangers led 2-1 at half-time and they had the ball in the net another twice in the first 15 minutes after the break but both Dessers strikes were ruled out for offside following VAR checks.

The home side pushed for a leveller, and Jack Butland made a couple of important saves, but Rangers continued to look dangerous on the counterattack.

And with ten minutes remaining they grabbed a third when Raskin played a through ball to Cerny who raced one-on-one with the keeper before slotting it into the net to make it 3-1.

Butland denied Talisca in injury time in what could prove to be a vital moment in the tie.

The 3-1 victory is a massive feather in the cap for Barry Ferguson who came out on top against a hugely experienced and successful manager in Jose Mourinho.