Rangers will travel to Istanbul for the first time in almost 24 years this evening as they face Turkish giants Fenerbahce in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Interim boss Barry Ferguson will be hoping for a huge improvement from his team, with his struggling squad entering the mammoth clash in Türkiye on the back of three successive home defeats to Motherwell, St Mirren and Queen’s Park respectively.
Currently second-place in the Turkish top flight, Jose Mourinho’s side are favourites heading into the game, though tonight’s game will be just the third meeting between the sides in their history, having previously only met in qualifying for the 2001-02 Champions League. The Turkish side progressed that time, winning the tie on aggregate after securing a 0-0 draw at Ibrox on the back of a 2-1 home win in the first-leg.
But what happened to the starting XI from Rangers’ last meeting against Fenerbahce in Istanbul? With three Ibrox Hall of Famers, a Rangers cult hero turned carpenter and an EPL scout, we assess at what happened to the Rangers team that lost 2-1 to Fenerbache in 2001.
9. Ronald de Boer
Another member of the Rangers Dutch legion, de Boer moved to Ibrox in 2000 just two years after being crowned Dutch Footballer of the Year. Won the domestic treble of league, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup in 2003, before departing to sign for Qatari outfit Al-Rayyan around a year later. Took charge of the Qatar under-23 team in 2010 following his retirement. He currently works as an assistant manager for the Ajax A1 youth team, serving as a coach for the Ajax youth academy at the highest level. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
10. Andrei Kanchelskis
The speedy Russian winger won titles with Rangers and Manchester United, while he also enjoyed successful stints at both Everton and Fiorentina during his successful 20-year career. He has remained in football since his retirement in 2006, and is currently head coach of Russian second-tier side Dynamo Bryansk. Kanchelskis has also managed Muras United, Navbahor Namangan and FC Ufa amongst others during his post-playing career. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group
11. Tore Andre Flo
Often referred to as one of Rangers' biggest flops, the Norwegian international had a better record at Ibrox than some would suggest, scoring 38 goals during his two seasons at the club. He left to sign for Sunderland for £12million in 2022, but scored just four goals at the Stadium of Light, before leaving to sign for Siena in Italy. After short stints with Leeds United and MK Dons, Flo ended his career at the club where he professional career begin. Sogndal. Since retirement, he has worked as a loan player technical coach at former club Chelsea, before he returned to become manager of Sogndal in 2021, though he left his position in September 2024 ahead of the new Norwegian season. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group
12. Sub: Maurice Ross
Ross progressed through the Rangers youth system, making 108 appearances for the club. He later played for a host of clubs in England, Scotland, Norway and China before retiring in 2013, and going into coaching. He spent time managing Egersunds IK, and Faroese clubs TB/FC Suðuroy/Royn and Víkingur before becoming manager of Cowdenbeath between 2021 and 2023. He was most recently the assistant manager of EFL League Two club Fleetwood Town under ex-Gers teammate Charlie Adam, though both departed the club earlier in the campaign. | Christopher Furlong Photo: Christopher Furlong