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Jack Butland insists Rangers have "nothing to fear" against Athletic Bilbao as they eye another run to the Europa League final after the goalkeeper's shootout heroics eliminated Fenerbahce.
The former England one foiled Dusan Tadic and Fred from the spot before Mert Hakan Yandas ballooned over the bar to send Rangers into the quarter-finals after Jose Mourinho's side had won 2-0 at Ibrox to level the tie at 3-3.
Rangers are bidding to reach a third Europa League final in 17 years after finishing as runners-up in 2008 and 2022.
"I don't think that dream has ever been out of the question," said Butland.
"We don't plan ahead, we don't think ahead and we don't look at any task as being too big.
"Over the years, the Europa League run where the boys got to the final years back, we didn't fear anyone. I think that's important. You've got respect for the opposition and it's Bilbao next, it'll be another tough side.
"But we've got to back ourselves, as we've done over these two legs, and aim to get through to the semi-finals.
"[We have] Nothing to fear. The Tottenham game, the games that we played away, the [Manchester] United game, where we probably should have got more from it, we've shown that we can compete and we're not out of place at all. The belief is there. The group at the minute is full of confidence and it does believe."
Butland is relishing working with the interim management and says he was already well aware of Barry Ferguson's leadership qualities from their time as team-mates at Birmingham City.
"They're fans at heart," he said. "They have the club at heart, but also want the best for us as individuals and most importantly as a team. So it's been enjoyable.
"I've known the manager, he was my senior pro when I came through at Birmingham all those years ago. He was the role model, he was the one that set the tone in the changing room. I've seen a little bit more of it in the last couple of weeks.
"It was a Birmingham team that was led and organised by him and it was driven and it was about accountability and hard work and just giving everything. That hasn't changed and that's what's required here."
Rangers have little time to reflect on their European exploits as they head to Celtic Park on Sunday for the Old Firm derby.
"There's no excuses. We recover, we enjoy tonight, back ourselves as we always do and we go there to win on Sunday, simple as that," added Butland.
[BBC]
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The former England one foiled Dusan Tadic and Fred from the spot before Mert Hakan Yandas ballooned over the bar to send Rangers into the quarter-finals after Jose Mourinho's side had won 2-0 at Ibrox to level the tie at 3-3.
Rangers are bidding to reach a third Europa League final in 17 years after finishing as runners-up in 2008 and 2022.
"I don't think that dream has ever been out of the question," said Butland.
"We don't plan ahead, we don't think ahead and we don't look at any task as being too big.
"Over the years, the Europa League run where the boys got to the final years back, we didn't fear anyone. I think that's important. You've got respect for the opposition and it's Bilbao next, it'll be another tough side.
"But we've got to back ourselves, as we've done over these two legs, and aim to get through to the semi-finals.
"[We have] Nothing to fear. The Tottenham game, the games that we played away, the [Manchester] United game, where we probably should have got more from it, we've shown that we can compete and we're not out of place at all. The belief is there. The group at the minute is full of confidence and it does believe."
Butland is relishing working with the interim management and says he was already well aware of Barry Ferguson's leadership qualities from their time as team-mates at Birmingham City.
"They're fans at heart," he said. "They have the club at heart, but also want the best for us as individuals and most importantly as a team. So it's been enjoyable.
"I've known the manager, he was my senior pro when I came through at Birmingham all those years ago. He was the role model, he was the one that set the tone in the changing room. I've seen a little bit more of it in the last couple of weeks.
"It was a Birmingham team that was led and organised by him and it was driven and it was about accountability and hard work and just giving everything. That hasn't changed and that's what's required here."
Rangers have little time to reflect on their European exploits as they head to Celtic Park on Sunday for the Old Firm derby.
"There's no excuses. We recover, we enjoy tonight, back ourselves as we always do and we go there to win on Sunday, simple as that," added Butland.
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[BBC]
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