Leon Balogun has revealed he asked God to help Jack Butland secure a penalty shoot-out win over Fenerbahce – and admitted he believes Rangers can now go all the way in the Europa League.
The Ibrox outfit ran out 3-2 winners on penalty-kicks after Jose Mourinho’s side had cancelled out their 3-1 first-leg victory with a two-goal win earned through a brace from Polish ace Sebastian Szymanski.
James Tavernier, Vaclav Cerny, and Tom Lawrence all scored for Barry Ferguson’s side in the shoot-out with Ianis Hagi seeing his effort saved.
However, Butland was the hero in setting up a last-eight showdown with Spaniards Athletic Bilbao. He kicked things off by getting his body in the way of Dusan Tadic’s effort, but, with the scores balanced at 2-2 after Hagi’s miss, his dive low to his right to get a hand on Fenerbahce captain Fred’s spot-kick was inspired.
After Lawrence had made it 3-2, a miss by Mert Hakan Yandas sent Rangers into dreamland.
‘We suffered out there, but we dug in, stuck together and ground it out,’ said Balogun, who reached the Europa League final with the Ibrox outfit in 2022.
Leon Balogun believes Rangers can go all the way after their Europa League win at Ibrox
Jack Butland emerges as the hero after Yandas sends Fenerbahce’s final penalty over the bar
Jack Butland celebrates with Leon Balogun and Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson
‘It’s a great moment for Jack Butland. He was outstanding last season.
‘We have all been up and down this season and for him to come up with that display – he had a few big saves in the game too – was massive.
‘I was praying for him, praying that God would share some of his glory with him.
‘He has done it. I’m just happy for Jack. He really deserves it. He’s a big character in the dressing room.
‘He loves the club, cares about the boys and it’s great for him to have a moment like that.
‘Europe, for the time I have been here, has always been special. It’s a phrase, but Thursday nights at Ibrox are just incredible.
‘These guys in the stands never cease to amaze and I can speak for everyone when I say it was for them.
‘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.’
Athletic Bilbao, who saw off Roma, visit Ibrox on April 10 with the return a week later.
Mohamed Diomande and John Souttar will both be suspended after picking up yellow cards against Fenerbahce, but Balogun has urged the group to keep showing their fighting spirit on the European front.
‘This win speaks for the character of the group,’ he said.
‘We have been criticised a lot and often deservedly. But there’s more quality in this group than people give us credit for.
‘It’s on us to show it more consistently and, then, the perception will probably change as well.’
Balogun also hopes the win can carry on into Sunday’s visit to Parkhead as Rangers aim to show they can match up to runaway league leaders Celtic.
‘This should give us loads of belief,’ said the big defender.
‘We still have lots to improve. We can’t shy away from that. On the ball against Fenerbahce, we were a bit sloppy and not brave enough at times.
‘It will be a different game again. They will rub their hands thinking we are going to be tired, but we showed some really big character there.
‘We have to bring that into the game on Sunday as well and make sure we represent the badge well.
‘You don’t have time to recover. That’s the schedule. You just have to deal with it.
‘We have a big squad. If players need a rest so be it. Everyone wants to be involved in an Old Firm and we will do our best to be in the best shape on Sunday.’
