Glasgow Rangers were far from their best on Thursday evening as they progressed into the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the first time since 2022.
They lost 2-0 to Fenerbahçe on the night – suffering their fourth successive home defeat for the first time in the club’s history – but prevailed 3-2 on penalties in front of a boisterous home crowd.
The Europa League remains their only chance of silverware this season, having performed poorly domestically.
Ferguson’s interim spell has been mixed, to say the least, and the board must get their next appointment as permanent manager correct, otherwise next season could see the same results.
Celtic await in the Premiership this afternoon. Can the Light Blues secure their first victory at Parkhead since October 2020? Or will the home side secure yet another Old Firm win on Sunday?
Whatever happens, Ferguson must make a few changes to his starting XI from the Fenerbahçe tie, especially as several members of the squad failed to perform to the level expected in midweek. That’s for sure.
Operating with a 3-4-2-1 system, the club struggled to contain the Turkish side at times throughout the game, with Jefte failing to cope with José Mourinho’s men.
Jefte’s game in numbers against Fenerbahçe
The Brazilian was deployed on the left of a four-man midfield, which should have made use of his attacking qualities.
During the match, Jefte failed to deliver an accurate cross into the opposition penalty area, succeeded with zero dribble attempts, won zero ground duels and lost possession six times.
It was clear he failed to create enough chances down the left flank and was subbed off late in the game.
Assists
2
Big chances created
2
Key passes per game
1.1
Total duels won per game
6
Tackles per game
2.1
Possession lost per game
15
Callum McClurkin of the Daily Mail gave the defender a match rating of just 4.5/10 for his display in the second leg, stating that he ‘got away with a foul on Talisca that [the] referee deemed a dive’, while making a ‘shocking mistake to gift the visitors a second goal’ in what was a poor performance overall.
During the previous Old Firm clash at the start of 2025, Jefte started at left-back and was excellent. Not only did he impress defensively, making four tackles and winning ten of his 15 total contested duels against Celtic, but he even attempted four dribbles – succeeding with two – while showing plenty of intent in getting involved, taking 62 touches of the ball.
Today, however, he must be dropped to the bench, especially after a poor display in midweek. Winning at Parkhead won’t be easy, but if Ferguson unleashes Ianis Hagi on the left of his four-man midfield against the Parkhead side, they might just have a chance.
Especially after his heroics in the game at Ibrox just a couple of months ago.
Hagi's starring role vs Celtic in January
With the Premiership title race effectively over by Christmas, the traditional festive Old Firm clash this season was one associated with pride only. The Light Blues had last won against their rivals in May 2023 in what was a dead rubber.
Philippe Clement’s side were incredible against a below-par Celtic side, taking the lead through Hagi after just seven minutes, who scored a tremendous long-range effort.
During the same game, the Romanian also made four key passes, registered five total shots, attempted three dribbles and delivered eight crosses into the opposition penalty area.
The away side simply couldn’t handle him and when Hagi plays like this, he is one of the best players in the country.
Having missed a penalty against Fenerbahçe during the shootout in midweek, one that might have easily knocked the Gers out, can Hagi put this out of his mind and star against Celtic once again?
Why Hagi must start for Rangers against Celtic
Following his superb display against Celtic in January, former Romanian international Ilie Dumitrescu lauded Hagi, saying:
“Ianis Hagi had a sensational match. He hit a very good shot that managed to surprise a goalkeeper as excellent as Kasper Schmeichel. But he was superb for the whole game.
“I saw the look of Gheorghe after the goal and he remained impassive. That’s because he would have been expecting Ianis to score. He never gets overexcited!”
Despite a contract situation leaving his future in limbo during the early stages of the campaign, the midfielder has performed well domestically since returning to the first-team fold last October.
Across 19 Premiership matches for the Ibrox side, Hagi not only has three goals to his name, but he has chipped in with seven assists.
The Romanian international also averages 1.8 shots per game in the top flight this term, along with averaging 1.9 key passes and succeeding with 0.6 dribbles each match. He has also created five big chances for Rangers in the Premiership, showcasing his attacking capabilities.
His goal against Celtic proves just how effective he can be when in the mood and Ferguson will be hoping the 26-year-old is up for the game after his miss against the Turkish side.
Chalkboard
While a win won’t change things regarding where the title is heading, securing a win at Parkhead for the first time in four and a half years might just give the Gers some momentum to carry the club through the next few weeks of the season.
It is likely that Ferguson will stick with the 3-4-2-1 system that has worked in his favour during European competition.
If so, Jefte should be dropped to the bench in favour of Hagi, who could offer more of a direct threat being played behind Mohamed Diomande and Vaclav Cerny.
His creative talents must be on show if the Gers are to secure a positive result, that’s a certainty.
If they do, this could give the club a major boost heading into their Europa League quarter-final clash against Athletic Bilbao in the coming weeks.
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