Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun is eyeing UEFA Europa League glory with Rangers, following the Blues’ sensational victory over Fenerbahce in the Round of 16, Footynaija.com reports.
Eric Chelle recently left Balogun out of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying squad, but he played the entire 120 minutes as Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce erased Rangers’ two-goal lead from the first leg, tying the match on aggregate and forcing extra time.
The Scottish Premiership giants went on to secure a shootout victory courtesy of three missed penalties from Fenerbahce’s Dusan Tadic, Fred and Mert Hakan Yandas.
Related Post
Balogun’s Europa League dream
Following his side’s Round of 16 triumph on Thursday night, the 36-year-old Nigeria international is eyeing a ‘special’ conclusion to Rangers’ Europa League campaign amid persistent struggles on the domestic front.
“It’s special already. Europe for the time I have been here has always been special. It’s a phrase, but Thursday nights at Ibrox are just incredible,” Balogun said in praise of the Rangers faithful as per Daily Record.
“These guys in the stands never cease to amaze. They all give it their all. They don’t have it easy with everything going on outside of football plus our up and down season, but I can speak for everyone when I say it was for them.
“Domestically it doesn’t look pretty so to have that raises extra energy because we know it’s all we’ve got to really get something special done. Tonight was amazing and I’m proud to be part of this team.
“You always go into competitions trying to win them. I’m straight forward, you need realism, but I’ve been part of a group that’s made it to the final before. Nothing’s impossible.
“You need a bit of luck, we earned that today, and let’s see what the next round brings. It’s not going to get easier, but if we don’t come from a place of belief we might as well pack our bags. If you look at us closely we’re not about that.”
