'Thursday nights at Ibrox are special': Balogun savours European atmosphere

Rangers defender Leon Balogun revelled in another ‘special’ European night at Ibrox and said Europa League progress was what the team’s support deserved after a difficult season.

A dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce put Rangers in the quarter-finals of the tournament, where they will face Athletic Bilbao, and continued the team’s trend of saving their best for continental competition.

Ibrox erupted in joy when Jack Butland made two penalty saves and Mert Hakan Yandas blazed a penalty over the bar to give Rangers the shootout win after a double from Sebastian Szymanski had given Fenerbahce a win in 90 minutes and levelled the tie on aggregate.

Balogun said the celebrations at the end were just part of what he says is a “special” atmosphere that he’s loved in his two spells at the club.

“I think Europe, for the time I’ve been at the club, has always been special,” the centre-back said.

“I mean, it’s a phrase by now: ‘Thursday nights at Ibrox’, and they are just incredible.”

The Nigeria international admitted that Europa League matches had been a bright spot in what has been a dismal season for supporters. He thanked them for their backing and said the latest European result was for the fans.

“These guys out there in the stands never cease to amaze you,” he said. “They give it their all.

“You know, they don’t have it easy at the moment with everything that’s going on outside of football, plus our up and down season domestically.

“So I think I can speak for everyone when I say it was for them.”

Rangers now face an Athletic Bilbao side who saw off Roma to reach this stage, and are desperate to reach the final at their own San Mames stadium.

Balogun says Rangers have their own ambition and will take belief from their journey to Seville three years ago.

“You always go into competitions trying to win them,” he said.

“I’m always straightforward. You need a bit of realism but I’ve been part of a group that has made it to the final before, and nothing’s impossible.

“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 then we might as well pack our bags.

“I think if you watch us closely, you’ll see we are not about that.”