WE'RE OFF & RUNNING

Barry forgot all about Special One in his rush to celebrate but doesn't want his side bad-mouthed

- BY ANDY NEWPORT

IF YOU want to call it a snub, it certainly wasn't intentional.

As Fenerbahce fall-guy Mert Yandas sent his fateful spot-kick into orbit, Barry Ferguson was off like a rocket too as he raced to join his jubilant squad.

The trouble was his momentary loss of control also happened to leave Jose Mourinho hanging.

The former two-time Champions League winning boss had been waiting to offer a congratulatory handshake to his Ibrox counterpart.

But it was only by the time Ferguson realised where he was, dangling from hero keeper Jack Butland’s back, that it dawned he perhaps should have hung around for the post-match formalities before joining his players to celebrate their incredible march through to the Europa League last eight.

Ferguson wasn't setting out purposely to offend a boss for whom he has only the highest respect.

But then again, neither does he feel obliged to listen to Mourinhos claims that Gers have next to no chance of going any further in the competition.

Fenerbahce faced the Light Blues’ next opponents Athletic Bilbao in the league phase, suffering a 2-0 defeat at home.

It was a result that has convinced him Rangers stand no chance in the Basque Country. But Ferguson simply doesn't want to hear it.