Jose Mourinho has recalled how his visit to Ibrox for one of Rangers' games against Celtic a number of years ago was beautiful and amazing.
The legendary Portuguese manager is now in charge of Fenerbahce, who come up against Barry Ferguson's side in Europa League action this evening.
Mourinho won the competition when it was previously named the UEFA Cup, defeating Celtic 3-2 in the 2003 final.
Prior to said victory, he took some time to visit Scotland to analyse the Parkhead side, with one of their games coming against Rangers at Ibrox.
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Mourinho was taken aback by what he experienced: "In Scotland, it's pure passion, pure rivalry," he told TNT Sports.
"Before that final in Seville against Celtic, I had the chance to go to Scotland to analyse Celtic, and one of the matches I went to was Rangers vs Celtic at Ibrox. Beautiful, amazing.
"Here [in Turkiye], the rivalry is not just a football rivalry, it's a system dominated by one club.
"In Scotland, it's pure rivalry. We know the social reasons behind it, and we know the historical reasons behind it. But it's rivalry on the pitch and after the match in the pubs."
Quite clearly a fan of Scottish football and its passion, Mourinho refused to rule out taking charge of Celtic or Rangers ahead of his team's tie against the latter.
He said: "Why not in the future?
"People can say that the Scottish league is a league of two teams, but it's a league of passion. For me, passion in football is everything. For me, to play in empty stadiums, to play in competitions where there isn't that fire of passion, doesn't make any sense.
"Celtic and Rangers are big clubs with big fan bases, big emotions, and big expectations. Why not?
"But in this moment, I have a job."
