Legendary football manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that his last trip to Ibrox was a happy time for him. The Portuguese manager discussed the stadium ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash between Fenerbahce and Rangers and told the media that he’d been to Ibrox before.
Mourinho revealed that the last time he attended at the stadium was back in 2003 with Rangers hosting Martin O’Neill’s Celtic in late April. Mourinho was there on a scouting mission before the UEFA Cup Final and while he couldn’t remember the score, he confirmed that it was a ‘happy time’ for him.
'My best memory of Ibrox, you don't know because I was hidden' 😅
The time Jose Mourinho was able to go undercover to watch an Old Firm game in 2003 🕵️♂️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/rVWY7oyAOe
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) March 12, 2025
Celtic won the game 2-1 thanks to goals from Alan Thompson and John Hartson. Mourinho would use the game to spy on O’Neill’s side before the UEFA Cup Final in Seville.
👂 Thompson penalty
😏 Hartson's strikeBeachball Sunday from 2003! 😎🏖️#OnThisDay #CelticFC 🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/lwcl7B3DUn
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 27, 2020
Mourinho will be hoping to overcome a 3-1 deficit from last week in Istanbul to send the Turkish side through to the next round at Rangers’ expense. Celtic, meanwhile, will have eyes on the game at Ibrox ahead of Sunday’s Glasgow Derby game at Celtic Park.
