Jose Mourinho bragged that Fenerbahce are a better team than Rangers as he challenged Ibrox interim boss Barry Ferguson not to take a cautious approach against his side in Thursday's Europa League last-16 second leg.
The Turkish team must overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit in Glasgow after their 18-game unbeaten run was ended in Istanbul last week.
Despite admitting Fenerbahce deserved to lose, Mourinho attempted to crank up the pressure on Rangers.
"I think Rangers is not a better team than us," the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United boss said on Wednesday.
"And I think we have a chance of qualifying. It's not hurting, it's not that I want revenge or we have to go there to show we are better. It's nothing about that.
📍 Glasgow #UEL #RFCvFB pic.twitter.com/f9braDfDaD
— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) March 12, 2025
"It's just the fact that I honestly think we are better. But as I was trying to be very honest after the match there and even today, we deserved to lose."
Mourinho tried to goad Ferguson into attacking his team by claiming that the Rangers fans, who have seen their side lose three successive home matches, would not tolerate a defensive approach.
Kazanan takım 💪 pic.twitter.com/V0PjNaE92e
— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) March 12, 2025
"I don't know if Ibrox, as a very iconic British stadium like many in Scotland and England, will accept a very defensive performance like they had in Fenerbahce," said the Portuguese manager.
"That was successful for them, but a very defensive performance. I don't know if they are going to accept it.
"And we are prepared for both. We are prepared for Rangers to try to play the same way, in a low block, waiting for our mistake, counter-attack."
Teknik Direktörümüz Jose Mourinho ile futbolcumuz Bright Osayi-Samuel, Rangers FC maçı öncesi basın mensuplarıyla bir araya geldi.#UEL #RFCvFB
— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) March 12, 2025
🔗 https://t.co/K2qrMaJA6b pic.twitter.com/FkLxtTrdNj
Ferguson, who was appointed interim boss last month following the sacking of Philippe Clement, has warned his players to brace for a Mourinho-inspired backlash.
"Standing on the touchline (alongside him last week), it was an honour for me," said the former Rangers captain. "He's got a real good team, he's a top-class manager.
"He would have been hurting, I know that for a fact. You'll see a different kind of Fenerbahce tomorrow night, there's no doubt about that."
Rangers FC maçı hazırlıklarımızı tamamladık. ✅#UEL #RFCvFB pic.twitter.com/Wv0oUkDysT
— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) March 12, 2025
Rangers are bidding to avoid a fourth successive defeat at Ibrox for the first time in their history but Ferguson told his players they must embrace playing in front of their own supporters.
"We need to light that fire in the stands, that's what we need to start doing," he said. "As a manager, I can't wait. You've got to be excited about this."