AliousBarry Ferguson is content to let others form their own opinions about José Mourinho as he addressed the recent verbal sparring between the renowned Portuguese coach and his predecessor at Rangers.
Despite being relatively new to management at this level, Ferguson received an endorsement from Mourinho—something his predecessor did not. The former Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Manchester United boss recently hit back at the Belgian, who had dismissed Mourinho’s defensive approach, sparking a strong response from the two-time Champions League winner. However, Ferguson is not concerned with labels and certainly does not expect Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe team to be overly cautious in their approach.
“He’s a top-class manager,” Ferguson said of Mourinho. “I think he’s won 26 trophies across Portugal, England, and Italy. So I’m really looking forward to facing him. People can make their own judgments.”
Addressing Mourinho’s tactical reputation, he added, “I know some people say he’s a defensive coach, but he’s also a top coach. He knows how to set up his teams effectively. We’ve analyzed about ten of their recent matches over the last few days, and I don’t see a defensive team. They have so many attack-minded players—Tadić, Džeko, and both wing-backs who push forward aggressively. Their midfielders are technically strong and look to play forward passes. We’re expecting a really tough game.”
European Experience to Guide Ferguson’s Approach
With 82 European appearances for Rangers under his belt, Ferguson is drawing from his past experiences to prepare for the challenge ahead. He acknowledges that while he is still new to management, his playing career has provided him with valuable insight into the demands of continental competition.
“I know some will say I’m inexperienced in this role, and that’s fair,” he admitted. “But I’ve played in a lot of European matches, whether in the Champions League or UEFA Cup. I understand that there are moments when you need to adapt your approach. That’s something my coaching staff and I have discussed in detail. We’re not going into this blind—we know we’re facing a very strong team with quality players and, in my opinion, a world-class manager.”
Ferguson anticipates a challenging encounter but is confident in his squad’s preparation. “We know what to expect, but we’re ready. The players understand their responsibilities both with and without the ball. Now, it’s about executing our game plan.”
Injury Concerns Ahead of the Clash
Ferguson’s preparations suffered a setback following Rangers’ disappointing weekend loss to Motherwell at Ibrox, but he remains hopeful for some positive news on the injury front.
“The entire squad has traveled,” he confirmed. “I know you’re asking about John Souttar and Leon Balogun. Both trained today, and we’ll have to wait until tomorrow morning to see how they respond. But it was great to see them back on the pitch, and hopefully, they’ll be available for selection.”
As Ferguson leads Rangers into this European battle, he remains focused on the challenge ahead, eager to prove himself against one of football’s most decorated managers.
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