Dinner with Jose Mourinho and starring alongside Barry Ferguson as insider tells Rangers the dangers of Fenerbahce
Shota Arveladze has warned Rangers they will be going up against a fearless Fenerbahce side that thrives in Europe – unshackled from the suffocating pressure of the Turkish title race.
Barry Ferguson’s former Ibrox teammate starred at Trabzonspor for four years before moving to Ajax then Rangers. And he managed in the top-flight last season with relegated Fatih Karagumruk. Arveladze has watched Jose Mourinho go on the march with a 18-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. But he’s sure playing with a greater freedom makes them a different beast in their Europa League quest.
Fenerbahce have failed to land the Turkish championship for 10 successive seasons. Arveladze says the stifling stalemate with bitter foes Galatasaray last week was typical of a game in the grip of fear.
The Georgian idol said: “When Fenerbahce go into Europe they have so much freedom, psychologically, to play football. They are not so affected by this ‘inside the country’ pressure that kills them for the last decade.
“They don’t need to be totally worried about what’s going to happen if they lose. Fenerbahce has much, much more pressure on their domestic league. In the derby last week, Galatasaray-Fenerbahce, for almost the whole game there was barely a shot at goal.
“There was so much quality on the field - there is Edin Dzeko, Victor Osimhen, Dusan Tadic. You have Jose Mourinho on one side with Okan Buruk, who has good experience as a coach, on the other.
“Yet, the teams were under this incredible pressure not to lose. If Fenerbahce lost, it would’ve been nine points behind with 12 games to go – almost impossible – and if Galatasaray lost, it would’ve been dropping points so soon after a European disaster when they lost 6-3 on aggregate to AZ last month.
“Fenerbahce play much more freely, much more football and score more goals in Europe. They did well to beat Anderlecht quite easily in the last round, scoring five goals over two legs. Fenerbahce are on a really good run, they’ve kept their form well, while Rangers are not in the best of times. Their players are struggling for form.”
The Yellow Canaries were knocked out on penalties by eventual champions Olympiakos in the last eight of the 2023/24 Conference League. They’ve assembled a team with tons of experience in the hope Mourinho’s magic trophy touch rubs off on them in Europe at last. And with that fearsome unbeaten run in all competitions, they look primed for a serious challenge for Ferguson’s men/
Former Premier League stars include 38-year-old hitman Edin Dzeko, Dusan Tadic, 35, former Manchester United midfielder Fred and Allan Saint-Maximin. Arveladze said: “Look at the ages, this is such an experienced Fenerbahce team.
“Tadic holds the team together, he speaks to everyone, you see his leadership. He isn’t the kind of player you remember from England. He can play a different role in midfield, winger or second striker.
“Dzeko, whether he has a good or a bad game, could have one touch and score to win it. He got 28 goals last season and is scoring again now. Only Galatasaray in Turkey has the European trophies – the UEFA Cup and beating Real Madrid in the Super Cup. But everywhere Jose goes, he brings a prize. Especially a European prize. That makes this a very special game for Fenerbahce.”
Arveladze won Scottish titles alongside Rangers’ interim manager either side of Ferguson’s spell with Blackburn Rovers. The ex-Hull City head coach isn’t among the throng thinking Ferguson’s latest Ibrox return to take over as manager is a shock move.
He believes bringing club favourites back can give a struggling squad a shot in the arm – but he admits the tactical duel against Mourinho on the Euro stage is an onerous ask for Ferguson and Co.
Arveladze said: “Yes, I could have imagined this with Barry, I’m not surprised. If I look at the ‘legends generation’ from my time, Barry would’ve been one of the first I thought of. Many clubs have used ‘their boys’ for times like this. No one calls you unless they have a problem!
“Now he has this great chance, I hope he will show his skills. Barry, as everyone knows, was always very demanding as a player to his teammates. But he knows, from being with many good coaches himself, that you cannot be the same as that now. This is a very different role. He certainly has the character to handle the pressure that is all around Rangers.
“But it’s going to be a huge challenge for him against Mourinho. You know that when you stand out on that touchline and it’s him and his decades of quality against you. I spoke to Jose in London the day before he flew to Istanbul to sign the contract at Fenerbahce.
“We were at the Champions League Final and at dinner together. He asked all about Turkish football, the club. It’s a fantastic place to play football, as I know. I’ve been there as a coach as well. Even if you’re on the opposite side, going to Fenerbahce’s stadium is a crazy atmosphere you should love to be in.
“But both games will be playing in fantastic atmospheres, with both teams having the freedom to make a good game. Barry has nothing to lose. It would be great for him to win. Rangers do have a chance.”
