Media in Turkiye have delivered their shock reaction to Rangers' 3-1 victory over Fenerbahce last night.
Barry Ferguson led Rangers to another stunning Europa League win, as they get set for next week's return leg in Glasgow.
Jose Mourinho's men went into last night's encounter as heavy favourites to progress from the round of 16 tie.
However, as pointed out by one Turkish media outlet, if it wasn't for VAR, then the 'embarrassment' dished out by Rangers could've turned into a result the Portuguese legend wouldn't have survived.
NTV
"Fenerbahce and Scottish representative Rangers faced off in the first match of the UEFA Europa League last 16 round. The away team won the match played in Kadıköy with a score of 3-1.
"The match, which started at 20:45, was officiated by Spanish referee Alejandro Hernandez.
"Dessers scored the goals that brought victory to Rangers in the 7th minute and Cerny in the 42nd and 81st minutes. Fenerbahçe's only point came from Alexander Djiku in the 30th minute.
"Rangers' goals scored by Dessers in the 51st and 58th minutes were disallowed for 'offside' after a VAR check.
"It was embarrassing for Jose Mourinho but could have been a humiliation he would not survive."
Sabah
“Fenerbahçe were stunned by Rangers on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie as the Scottish club beat Jose Mourinho’s side 3-1 in Istanbul.”
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Haber Turk
"It was a terrible night for Fenerbahçe and could have been worse had VAR not saved them.
"It was only three for Rangers but could have been much more. Butland saved well but Jose Mourinho has no excuses left on the night."
Posta
“The yellow-navy team, who started the second half taking all the risks and could not take advantage of the positions they found in the part where they were looking for an equaliser, was shocked with Cerny’s goal in the space he left behind the defence in the 81st minute.
“Fenerbahçe, who tried to reduce the difference in the remaining part, could not score a goal and left the field 3-1 defeated.”
Milliyet (quotes from former Besiktas player Nihat Kahveci)
“Fenerbahçe, who neither started the match well nor reacted, only intercepted with Maximin, Tadic and Kostic.
“It is truly unbelievable. You brought the score to 1-1 while playing badly, you could not enter the match in the first 17 minutes and watched the opponent.
“Szymanski lost all the balls he could lift in one match. These matches do not tolerate individual mistakes, I cannot understand.”
Yeni Asya
"Fenerbahce suffered its first defeat against Scottish representative Rangers in the last 16 round of the UEFA Europa League.
"The Yellow-Navy Blues, who were previously paired with Rangers in the 2001-2002 UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round, faced their opponent again after 23.5 years.
"The first match of the season in question, played on August 8, 2001 in Glasgow, Scotland, ended in a goalless draw, and the return match in Kadıköy on August 22, 2001, was won 2-1 by the yellow-navy team with goals from Haim Revivo and Serhat Akın, and advanced to the group stag.
"Fenerbahce faced the Scottish team for the third time and lost for the first time."
