'We are better' - Mourinho expects to overhaul Rangers

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho is certain his side "are better than Rangers" despite going into Thursday's Europa League second leg at Ibrox with a two-goal deficit.

Mourinho is adamant Barry Ferguson's side earned the advantage from the first game in Istanbul only because of side's numerous mistakes.

Rangers' were successful with clinical counter-attacks from what the Portuguese said was an ultra-defensive low block.

The former Porto and Inter Milan manager says he would have given up on the second leg in order to concentrate on their league campaign if he did not believe the deficit could be overcome.

Fenerbahce are seven points behind unbeaten leaders Galatasaray in the Super Lig but do have a game in hand.

Mourinho, who has yet to overturn a 2-0 home deficit in almost 200 European matches as a manager, rejects Ferguson's assertion that he's "hurting" from the first leg.

"I'm not hurt, I'm not hurt. Rangers are not a better team than us, and I think we have a chance of qualifying," he said.

"It's not that I'm hurt or that I want revenge or that we have to go and show we are better. It's nothing about that. It's just the fact that I honestly think we are better.

"But we deserved to lose because we made mistakes and they capitalised on our mistakes. They were motivated, they were fighting together, they deserved to win.

"So there are no bad feelings, there is no frustration, there is nothing. We are so committed with our league, we have such an important match on Sunday, that if I felt we had no chance, would prepare for Sunday.

"But I'm not preparing for Sunday, I'm preparing for this game, because I think honestly we have a chance. So as long as we have a chance, let's go. "

The game will add to Mourinho's Ibrox memories and while he has coached in the stadium before when he brought his Chelsea side to Glasgow for a friendly in 2007, it is not the game that lives in his memory.

"If you ask me the result of that match [with Chelsea[, I cannot tell you. It was a friendly.

"My best memory of Ibrox, you don't know because I was secret. It was Rangers against Celtic. I came here for that match, that was good.

"It was a couple of weeks before I played the Uefa Cup final against Celtic. Nobody knew me at that time, I could come and at the end of the game I walked with the crowd, good times for me."

Prior to their first European defeat to Scottish opposition, Fenerbahce had been on an 18-game unbeaten run across all competitions.

Mourinho is hoping his happy memories of Ibrox continue on Thursday and has urged his players to lap up the atmosphere.

"I think they have to enjoy it, even if it is hostile, hostile in the sense that they want Rangers to win, of course. I think they have to enjoy it. The best place to play football is in the UK," he added.