Now THAT was special…  Ferguson so proud of his players after rampant Rangers leave Mourinho helpless

The Special One couldn’t cope with Rangers as they produced another astonishing performance in the Europa League.

Interim boss Barry Ferguson masterminded a 3-1 victory over Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in Turkey courtesy of Cyriel Dessers’ opening goal and a Vaclav Cerny double.

Vilified for their form domestically, the Ibrox side again proved a different team on the continent, taking a precious lead to Ibrox for next Thursday’s second leg of the last-16 tie.

Ferguson changed the shape to a back three for the first time and it contributed to a remarkable display as his team restricted their hosts to one goal, from Alexander Djiku, and threatened repeatedly on the counter attack. Another two goals by Dessers were ruled out for offside.

The delighted caretaker boss warned: ‘It was a great result but we’ve got to remember it’s only half-time in the tie, because Fenerbahce have got one of the best managers that’s ever been.

‘I’m proud of the boys. They’ve come through a lot this season and deserve a lot of credit. We need to be ready for next Thursday and, I tell you something, I’ll have them ready.

Vaclac Cerny takes the acclaim after his second goal rounded off a 3-1 first-leg win in Istanbul 

Jose Mourinho is frustrated as his Fenerbahce team slip to a surprise  Europa League defeat 

‘I wouldn’t say I outfoxed [Mourinho]. We went a way that I thought would get us a result. The players took the information on and delivered a performance to be proud of.

‘You can feel sorry for yourselves when you get a couple of goals (disallowed), but we went on and got the third goal.

‘Ibrox has been a bit of a problem this season, but we’ll enjoy tonight and then try to fix that problem.

‘(The players) took on every single thing we went over on the training ground.

‘At times, we looked a real threat and, defensively, they put their bodies on line.

‘It’s a big game next Thursday and we all know we have struggled at Ibrox at times this season. I gave them a pat on the back and told them to go and enjoy the night and then get back to work in a couple of days because next Thursday is going to be huge.’

Asked about the new shape he deployed, Ferguson added: ‘It was a gamble but one I was prepared to take. I watched Fenerbahce and thought I had to change shape. I debated it with the coaching staff who were not too sure, but I had a thought that we could get a result and started to get to work on the shape.

‘It’s not easy to change the system, so give the players credit. They’ve never played that before.’

Asked about defender Robin Propper, who suffered a concussion after a collision with goalkeeper Jack Butland, Ferguson said: ‘He got knocked out for a minute or two. He should be okay but you have to be wary.’

Ferguson had a few things thrown at him on the touchline but dismissed it as home fans ‘just getting a bit frustrated’.

Winger Cerny insisted that Rangers set a standard they must now adhere to for the rest of the season.

‘The players went out there and showed everybody,’ he said. ‘We finished in the top eight and it’s been the question of the whole season to be consistent domestically as well.

‘You want to be at the top of your performances every three days. That’s what I demand from myself.

‘That’s what we should demand from each other.

‘That’s what we need to create, these standards, these habits, this hunger.’