'Everybody's aware we’re only half way': Dessers urges Rangers caution

Cyriel Dessers believes it will take a concerted effort from everyone connected to Rangers to finish off Fenerbahce in next week’s Europa League clash at Ibrox.

The Light Blues, under the guidance of interim boss Barry Ferguson, returned to Glasgow following a stunning 3-1 win in the first leg of the last-16 tie in Istanbul on Thursday night.

The 30-year-old Nigeria striker scored his 22nd goal of the season after six minutes – and would later have two goals ruled out for offside – before home substitute Alexander Djiku levelled on the half-hour mark for Jose Mourinho’s side.

However, the rampant visitors scored twice more through Czech winger Vaclav Cerny to put them in a strong position for the return game in Govan, where Dessers hopes everyone is aligned to press home the advantage.

He said: “I know the place will be bouncing, that’s what we will need because everybody saw that Fenerbahce are a very good team.

“Individually they have some top-quality players, so we will need to be at our best.

“We will need the fans, we will need all of Ibrox, everybody, but I know we’re ready for it and hopefully we can finish the job there.

“Obviously it was a beautiful night for all of us, in a difficult atmosphere, to get a win like that, but everybody is well aware that we’re only half way.

“It’s going be tough next week, but we showed that we can hurt them and I think that’s a good thing.”

Dessers, who finished top scorer in the Conference League when he reached the final with Feyenoord in 2022, was pleased with his contribution to what was one of the great European nights in Rangers’ history.

He said: “If you’re speaking about the last 16 of the Europa League then obviously this is a big level.

“But I went to a European final before, when I played an important role as well.

“So I’ve been here before, but obviously to do it in the circumstances like Thursday feels good.”

While Europe has been a place of excitement and enthusiasm for the Ibrox side this season the domestic campaign has been a wash-out, with Philippe Clement sacked less than two weeks ago.

Temporary replacement Ferguson watched his new charges lose 2-1 to Motherwell last weekend to make it three home defeats in a row for the first time since 2012.

Dessers hopes Rangers can take their European form into the domestic scene in the closing weeks of the season, and said: “We’ve been a team of ups and downs, especially in the league, but in Europe we have shown very consistent form.

“Sometimes it’s hard to explain, but I think the football in Europe suits us a little bit more at this moment.

“But we have to take confidence from this as well and try to find the consistency and try to start doing this as well in the league.”