Pedro Mendes was impressed with Rangers in their win over Porto - but picked out Steven Davis as the boss.
The veteran was hugely impressive in the Europa League triumph at Ibrox, scoring the second goal and dictating the play.
Mendes played alongside him for Walter Smith 's Gers side, and the Portuguese sees his former team-mate as a real leader.
He said: "I was impressed with Rangers, how they came back.
"They didn't give up. It's also the quality they have in the team - it's fantastic.
"I'm not surprised by Steven Davis. He is getting older but you can see he is getting cleverer. He is the boss of Rangers' team.
"When they look at that group table it is the stuff of nightmares for Porto . They need to win the last two games which was impossible to think about a the start. Something is not right."
Mendes spent just one full season at Ibrox, winning the SPL title in the 2008-09 season.
In January 2010 he returned to his homeland with Sporting, before retiring at Vitoria Guimaraes.
The former midfielder was also part of the Porto side which won the Champions League in 2004 under Jose Mourinho.
