Jack Butland was the hero for Rangers as his penalty shootout heroics secured their place in the Europa League quarter-finals, despite Fenerbahce overturning a 3-1 first-leg deficit at Ibrox.

The Rangers goalkeeper produced stunning saves to deny Dusan Tadic and Fred, before Mert Hakan Yandas blazed his spot-kick over the bar, igniting jubilant celebrations both on the pitch and in the stands.

Barry Ferguson’s side had returned to Glasgow with a commanding two-goal cushion following a superb display in Istanbul, but they struggled to replicate that form as their troubling home run continued.

Poland international Sebastian Szymanski struck twice, either side of half-time, to level the tie on aggregate, as Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce applied relentless pressure in search of a winner.

Tadic went agonisingly close with a curling effort, while Youssef En-Nesyri was denied at the death by a last-ditch James Tavernier tackle.

Vaclav Cerny emerged as Rangers’ most dangerous outlet, driving at defenders with purpose and forcing several saves from Fenerbahce goalkeeper Irfan Can Egribayat. However, neither side could find a breakthrough before extra time, where Cerny and Tavernier both threatened but failed to find the net.

With the tie still deadlocked, penalties became inevitable. Tavernier, Cerny, and Tom Lawrence converted for the hosts, ensuring Rangers progressed to face Athletic Bilbao in the last eight, after the Spanish side edged past Roma.

While the result marked an unwanted record—Rangers’ fourth consecutive home defeat for the first time in their history—the overriding emotions at Ibrox were joy and relief as Ferguson’s men held their nerve under immense pressure.

A Night of European Drama at Ibrox

On a night of nerve-shredding tension and high drama, Rangers once again found solace in European competition, providing a much-needed reprieve from their domestic struggles.

Ibrox erupted in celebration when Yandas’ decisive penalty soared over the bar, ending a gruelling 120-minute battle that had tested the emotions of every fan inside the stadium.

Rangers began brightly, with Cerny’s direct running causing problems for the visitors, but momentum swung when Szymanski volleyed home a Filip Kostic cross to give Fenerbahce hope.

The Turkish giants took control after the break, and when Szymanski stabbed in his second goal on 73 minutes, the pendulum had firmly shifted in their favour.

Controversy struck in extra time as Mourinho’s side were left fuming over a rejected penalty appeal when Nicolas Raskin appeared to trip Yandas inside the box. Referee Espen Eskas waved play on, and VAR chose not to intervene.

Rangers dug deep, weathering the storm and showing resilience to take the tie to penalties, where their composure proved decisive.

Ferguson’s Influence & The Road Ahead

Ferguson still has challenges to address, not least the team’s poor home form, but he has instilled a renewed sense of belief and unity within the squad.

However, Rangers will be without Mohamed Diomande and John Souttar for the first leg against Bilbao, as both players picked up one-match suspensions.

Before then, attention turns to Sunday’s crucial Old Firm derby at Celtic Park, where Rangers’ battle-worn squad must recover quickly for another high-stakes encounter.

Post-Match Reactions

Rangers interim head coach Barry Ferguson on TNT Sports:
“They showed character in abundance, and we have to keep doing that moving forward. Overall, I’m just delighted to be in the quarter-finals.

“One thing I think has been missing is character. But the players are listening, and while there’s still a lot to work on, tonight was what my teams are built on.

“When you play against top teams, they’re going to have spells where they dominate. You have to ride those out. I’m so proud of the players and delighted for the club.”

Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho on TNT Sports:
“We deserved to win over 90 minutes. We deserved to win after 120 minutes.

“In the first leg, I was honest and said we made mistakes and deserved to lose. But tonight, we were by far the better team.

“We did everything to win, but the referee and VAR decided we should go to penalties. I feel for my players because they dreamed of going through, but I’m proud of them.”