IF YOU want to call it a snub, it certainly wasn't intentional.
As Fenerbahce fall-guy Mert Yandas sent his fateful spot-kick into orbit, Barry Ferguson was off like a rocket too as he raced to join his jubilant squad.
The trouble was his momentary loss of control also happened to leave Jose Mourinho hanging.
The former two-time Champions League winning boss had been waiting to offer a congratulatory handshake to his Ibrox counterpart.
But it was only by the time Ferguson realised where he was, dangling from hero keeper Jack Butland’s back, that it dawned he perhaps should have hung around for the post-match formalities before joining his players to celebrate their incredible march through to the Europa League last eight.
Ferguson wasn't setting out purposely to offend a boss for whom he has only the highest respect.
But then again, neither does he feel obliged to listen to Mourinhos claims that Gers have next to no chance of going any further in the competition.
Fenerbahce faced the Light Blues’ next opponents Athletic Bilbao in the league phase, suffering a 2-0 defeat at home.
It was a result that has convinced him Rangers stand no chance in the Basque Country. But Ferguson simply doesn't want to hear it.
"I dont really take notice of people who dismiss us’ he said. “It goes over my head. When I come into this building, it's about me, my staff, my players. That's all I concentrate on.
“We'll just go about our business our own way. If people want to talk about us, whether we're a good, bad or indifferent team, I couldn't care less. We're just fully focused on making sure we finish this season as strong as possible.
Ferguson turned a deafie to the Special One's dissenting voice but insisted he didn’t mean to blank his handshake offer. “I never spoke to him,’ he said. “He came into the dressing room after the players’ celebrations with the fans.
“I got carried away a wee bit. After a minute, I realised I was on top of somebody's back in front ofthe stand! But that’s my emotion and my passion. I was just delighted for the boys.
“They gave me everything It was backs against the wall at times.
“But Jose came into the dressing room and wished me all the best. I said before I came up against Fenerbahce, he’s a guy I have huge respect for, one of the best managers that's ever been.
“It was a huge achievement for us to put a team out of that standard.
“They've got to take confidence because in my opinion they put out a very good team — one of the favourites to win the competition.
“The players deserve a huge pat on the back. I told them, ‘Enjoy these occasions’ because I thought the supporters were brilliant”.
...
As Fenerbahce fall-guy Mert Yandas sent his fateful spot-kick into orbit, Barry Ferguson was off like a rocket too as he raced to join his jubilant squad.
The trouble was his momentary loss of control also happened to leave Jose Mourinho hanging.
The former two-time Champions League winning boss had been waiting to offer a congratulatory handshake to his Ibrox counterpart.
But it was only by the time Ferguson realised where he was, dangling from hero keeper Jack Butland’s back, that it dawned he perhaps should have hung around for the post-match formalities before joining his players to celebrate their incredible march through to the Europa League last eight.
Ferguson wasn't setting out purposely to offend a boss for whom he has only the highest respect.
But then again, neither does he feel obliged to listen to Mourinhos claims that Gers have next to no chance of going any further in the competition.
Fenerbahce faced the Light Blues’ next opponents Athletic Bilbao in the league phase, suffering a 2-0 defeat at home.
It was a result that has convinced him Rangers stand no chance in the Basque Country. But Ferguson simply doesn't want to hear it.
"I dont really take notice of people who dismiss us’ he said. “It goes over my head. When I come into this building, it's about me, my staff, my players. That's all I concentrate on.
“We'll just go about our business our own way. If people want to talk about us, whether we're a good, bad or indifferent team, I couldn't care less. We're just fully focused on making sure we finish this season as strong as possible.
Ferguson turned a deafie to the Special One's dissenting voice but insisted he didn’t mean to blank his handshake offer. “I never spoke to him,’ he said. “He came into the dressing room after the players’ celebrations with the fans.
“I got carried away a wee bit. After a minute, I realised I was on top of somebody's back in front ofthe stand! But that’s my emotion and my passion. I was just delighted for the boys.
“They gave me everything It was backs against the wall at times.
“But Jose came into the dressing room and wished me all the best. I said before I came up against Fenerbahce, he’s a guy I have huge respect for, one of the best managers that's ever been.
“It was a huge achievement for us to put a team out of that standard.
“They've got to take confidence because in my opinion they put out a very good team — one of the favourites to win the competition.
“The players deserve a huge pat on the back. I told them, ‘Enjoy these occasions’ because I thought the supporters were brilliant”.
...
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Daily Record (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 15, 2025