Barry Ferguson warned his Rangers players who will need to climb new heights against Fenerbahce if they want their adventure in the Europa League to continue beyond the last 16.
In his previous role as club ambassador, the 47 -year -old man saw the Philippe Clement side leaving aside his inconsistent domestic form when they entered the European sphere.
Together with the victories about Malmo, Niza and Union Saint-Gilloise, the points taken from Tottenham and Olympiakos saw the Ibrox club end in the first eight of the renewed competition.
But after having seen José Mourinho's team widely in recent days, the interim boss believes that the challenge that the Turks will present will be at a different level.
“We understand what they face,” Ferguson said. 'They face a very good team. Players like (Dusan) Tadic, (Edin) Dzeko in advance.
'They have many other first -class players and we expect a difficult night. We need to be at our best time if we want to get a good result here.
The interim manager Barry Ferguson will take the Rangers to the battle at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium
The Rangers players had a training session in Fenerbahce's field after entering Glasgow
Ridvan Yilmaz, James Tavernier and Cyriel Dessers will have an important role to play for Ferguson
'We have had two full days to prepare correctly and go through certain stages within the game against a team that, I think, could win the Europa League.
'Then, we need to be in that, we must organize, we must be prepared and we have certainly done it in recent days.
'I have been in all games this season, at home and outside, and certainly some of the best performances of this season have been in the Europa League. There is no doubt about that.
'I think we face a different level of equipment, honestly, after seeing much of Fenerbahce in recent days.
'But, listen, have shown that at the highest level they can compete. They know. And I will wait for that same type of performance tomorrow.
Three years after his latest manager published in Alloa, Ferguson is face to face with the legendary Mourinho.
José Mourinho was typically colorful while heading to the Scottish media
Ferguson distrusts the threat that Fenerbahce has in advance with Dusan Tadic and Edin Dzeko
“It's easy to say, but he's a first class manager,” he added. 'He has won, I believe, 26 titles in Portugal, England, Italy. I really want to go against her.
Although Mourinho has the reputation of being mainly a defensive manager, about the evidence he has seen, Ferguson feels that this is not entirely true.
“They play in a certain way,” he said. 'I know that many people say he is a defensive coach, but he is also one of the best coaches. He knows how to configure equipment and the way they play.
'We have probably seen 10 games in the last four days and I don't see the way your team plays as a defensive team.
“If we get an eye from the ball at any stage, then they will do one thing, and that hurts us.”
Ferguson, who hopes to call John Souttar and Leon Balogun, says he will be inspired by three of his former managers while making his management debut in Europe.
Liam Kelly, John Souttar and Tom Lawrence host in their surroundings in Istanbul
Ianis Hagi refused to rule out reports that he is ready to leave the rangers in the summer
“I will take some inspiration, not only from Walter Smith, who was a great manager, but also Dick Advocaat and Alex Mcleish,” he explained.
'I know that many people say I am new in this work, and rightly. But I have played in many European games, whether the Champions League or the UEFA Cup as it was at that stage.
'I understand the times when you need to play in a different way. We are not going to this blind.
Meanwhile, Ianis Hagi has avoided suggestions that he has rejected a new agreement and is ready to leave the rangers in the summer.
Back in the city of his birth, Hagi was asked directly if the reports that came out of Türkiye were true.
But he said: 'I don't think it's the right time to talk about my future.
“My full approach at this time is in the Rangers and the game on Thursday.”