Jose Mourinho shares Celtic ‘respect’ in classy response to Rangers question

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Celtic fans might get some bad flashbacks when they hear Jose Mourinho’s name.

That’s because the legendary coach was the man who stopped Celtic from winning the 2003 UEFA Cup final when his Porto side won in extra-time in Seville.

Those were the early days of Mourinho’s managerial career and he would go on to win the UEFA Champions League the following campaign, before further enhancing his career across Europe, including at clubs like Real Madrid.

Fast forward to the present and he will take on Scottish opposition when his Fenerbahce side host Rangers in the Europa League last-16 stage on Thursday night.

The first leg will take place in Istanbul on Thursday evening, before Mourinho will be in Glasgow next week – days before Celtic host Rangers for the derby on March 16.

Ahead of those matches, the topic of Celtic was brought up in his pre-match press conference.

Jose Mourinho shares Celtic ‘respect’ ahead of Fenerbache’s clash against Rangers

Mourinho is regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time and, even though he beat Celtic in the UEFA Cup final, he had a classy response to a question he was asked.

Of course, Celtic and Rangers are going to laugh at each other’s misery – and those at Ibrox are certainly suffering now, with the champions 16 points clear at the top of the Premiership table and pushing for another Treble.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	29	24	3	2	87	17	70	75
2	RangersRangers	29	18	5	6	59	26	33	59
3	HibernianHibernian	29	11	10	8	44	40	4	43
4	AberdeenAberdeen	29	12	6	11	38	46	-8	42

But when Mourinho was asked about Rangers fans approaching him and thanking him, in the past, for beating Celtic, his response was classy.

On Rangers fans approaching and thanking him for beating Celtic in 2003: “Not in Turkey, because in Turkey I haven’t met any Scottish person,” shared Mourinho.

“But it’s true, especially in London or south of Portugal in the summer time. Some Rangers fans, they come to me.

“For me, it was a big final, it was my first European final. But I have the utmost respect for both big clubs and big supporters families from your capital in Glasgow.

“Celtic and Rangers are two big clubs, with incredible history. Also in Europe. I have lots of respect. Part of my formation was even in Scotland.

“I have so many Scottish friends from both callers. The green and the blue. I know Glasgow is going to be difficult. But I am very happy to play against a Scottish team.”

How many trophies has Mourinho won in his career?

There is a big chance that Fenerbahce could win the Europa League this season, because of the size of the club and the man they have in charge.

Mourinho isn’t shy of European glory and his crazy trophy-winning career speaks for itself.

It’s quite incredible and worthy of being amongst the best. That’s 26 trophies and counting.

Of course, Celtic fans would have hoped it was just 25 and Martin O’Neill would have had that UEFA Cup, but maybe Mourinho will be in the Parkhead dugout one day because his career isn’t showing any signs of stopping.