Rangers produced a superb display to shock Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in Istanbul with a thumping win that could have been even bigger.
Interim manager Barry Ferguson – who has replaced Philippe Clement – will have done his chances of the full-time job the world of good after Vaclav Cerny’s double in Istanbul.
Striker Cyriel Dessers had a remarkable night which began with a goal after just six minutes before Alexander Djiku levelled.
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Cerny restored the visitors’ lead in the 42nd minute and then Dessers remarkably had two goals chalked off for narrow offside decisions early in the second half before Cerny grabbed his second in the 81st minute to seal an astonishing victory, giving real hope of making it through to the quarter-finals next week at Ibrox.
Dessers did brilliantly to roun keeper Irfan Can Egribayat to squeeze the ball over the line with defender Caglar Soyuncu’s clearance too late.
Mourinho’s side – unbeaten in 18 games – levelled when Djukic, on for Soyuncu, brilliantly hooked the ball past Butland.
Just before the break Cerny broke with purpose, played a one-two with Dessers and slotted in a left-footed shot from six yards.
Dessers had the ball in the Fenerbahce net six minutes into the second half but a VAR check ruled him offside, which gave heart to the home side and their excitable fans – as did the next goal he had chalked off minutes later, again for offside, which breathed life into the Turkish club.
Nico Raskin then sent Cerny clear with a superb through ball and he calmly netted to make it one of the great European nights for Rangers.
