The Japan Times - Rangers interim boss Barry Ferguson relishing Mourinho clash

Thursday's last-16 tie in Istanbul will be just former Rangers captain Ferguson's third game in charge of the side since he succeeded the sacked Philippe Clement.

When the draw was made, Belgian manager Clement said he was not a fan of Mourinho's pragmatic approach.

But Ferguson had nothing but praise on Wednesday for the much-travelled Mourinho.

"That's up to other people to decide what they think of Mourinho but he's a top-class manager and he's won so many titles and he's managed at so many top teams," Ferguson told a pre-match press conference. "He's won, I think, 26 titles, round about that.

"Titles in Portugal, England, Italy. So in my opinion, a top-class manager and I'm really looking forward to coming up against him.

"I know a lot of people say he's a defensive coach, but he's a top coach also. He knows how to set up teams and the way that they play... I don't see the way his team play as a defensive team."

This may be Ferguson's first European game as a manager, but he is no stranger to continental competition.

"I know a lot of people say that I'm new to this job, and rightly so, but I've played in a lot of European games," he said. "Whether that be the Champions League or the UEFA Cup.

"I understand the times that you need to play a different way."

He added: "We're not going into this blind. We're coming up against a very good team with very good players and in my opinion, a top manager.

"So we're expecting a tough night, but we're prepared. The guys know their jobs."

Following a 4-2 comeback win over Kilmarnock in his first game as interim boss, Ferguson watched Rangers lose 2-1 against Motherwell at Ibrox on Saturday, making it three successive home defeats for the club for first time since 2012.

"As you know, last week, I had only one day before the Kilmarnock game and then before the game at the weekend, it was basically a rest day on a Thursday and had the boys again on Friday," said Ferguson.

"So, this week, we've had two full days to prepare properly and to go through certain scenarios within the game against a team who, I think, potentially could win the Europa League."

S.Yamamoto--JT