Rangers advanced to the Europa League quarterfinals with a penalty shootout triumph over Fenerbahce.
The Gers gave up their two-goal lead from the first leg and were unable to score in extra time, resulting in a dramatic finale at Ibrox.
However, Jack Butland made two remarkable stops, and Ianis Hagi missed his kick in the shootout, allowing the Light Blues to advance.
The Bears will face Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals after defeating Roma to reverse the tie.
Mourinho makes Rangers Europa League prediction
Speaking in his post-match press conference after his side were eliminated, Mourinho said: “Bilbao is a stronger team. The final is in Bilbao.
“I think if Rangers does it against Bilbao, it will be phenomenal.
“It will be phenomenal because it is going to be very hard.”
Rangers can win the Europa League
The sole hope for success for the Gers this season is the competition that they came close to winning under Giovanni van Bronckhorst in 2021/22.
The Gers will be hoping to continue their recent run, which saw them fall just short in a penalty shootout to Eintracht Frankfurt in Sevilla.
This time, they will be confident of beating anybody on penalties after Butland’s heroics in Govan against Mourinho’s side.
| Team | Round |
| Athletic Bilbao | Quarter-finals |
| Manchester United or Lyon | Semi-finals |
| Tottenham or Lazio or Bodo/Glimt or Frankfurt | Final |
Their Europa League play has been a far cry from the terrible domestic form that resulted in Philippe Clement’s dismissal in February, and they now sit 16 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
With the remarkable victory over the Turkish team, interim Rangers manager Barry Ferguson has enhanced his chances of securing the role permanently, and if he goes all the way, he will undoubtedly be the frontrunner to land the job in the summer over Derek McInnes or Steven Gerrard.
If they can get past Bilbao in the following round, they will be convinced that they can overcome anyone, including Manchester United, who they may meet in the semi-finals and finals.
If Ferguson can orchestrate a European triumph after replacing the Belgian, it may transform an otherwise disastrous season into one of the most memorable in Auchenhowie’s history.
