PENALTY SAVING HERO Liam Kelly was pleased to contribute after denying visitors Athletic Club from the spot as Rangers claimed a 0-0 draw in their Europa League quarter-final first leg this evening.
On a night of real drama, the Gers were reduced to ten men early on in the contest and were up against it from the get-go but battled well to keep a clean sheet and now with all to play for in the tie heading to the San Mames next week.
Speaking to RangersTV to reflect on the moment and the night as a whole, he said: “How would I sum it up? Half time I would probably sum it up with.
“I actually didn't have lot to do in the game, thanks to the efforts from all the boys in front of me, incredible effort.
“I am just so pleased to be able to contribute and help the team.
“It is only half time we don't get anything at all for tonight but the support round the stadium was incredible, helped us get us over the line with a 0-0 draw.
“Obviously I am aware it is half time so none of us are too high but a bit of the walking wounded in there as well.
“Staying calm, half time and we will see what happens next week."
“Obviously we do a lot of work with Greggsy, Connor and big Jack, it is a great help to me as well.
“Young Rydnn was on the bench tonight, Mason as well so there is a good goalkeeping group there that looks at things and talks, it is a collective effort.
“A lot of research goes into each player and a kind of rough idea of what they are thinking and you just go a side.
“Pick a side, tried to go down the middle and threw my foot up and thankfully got a foot on it.”
The shot stopper was handed his European debut by head coach Barry Ferguson and certainly delivered on the big stage, as he praised the effort from the whole squad to keep themselves firmly in the last eight tie.
He continued: “An incredible night, such an amazing night for me and my family.
“Obviously I am aware that I don't want to be too high because then if something happens next week then what was the point of tonight.
“All focus moving forward goes to Aberdeen on Sunday and it is a massive game, obviously a big rivalry between two clubs.
“A game that we are absolutely desperate to win.
“We will look forward to next week and then we'll battle.
“We are playing against the favourites for the tournament so it is a real task 11 v 11 never mind 11 v 10, but that is what we are all about at this club.
“Grinding, digging in for each other.
“A wee bit frustrating as well that we don't produce that every week but we have enough tough times so let's enjoy tonight, realise how we done it.
“What did we do, the amount of effort we put in and let's take that going forward.”
Rangers will head to Pittodrie at the weekend before their massive second leg tie in Bilbao next week, with the goalkeeper saying it’s all to play for come a week’s time as the Gers look to book their place in the semi-final once again.
He added: “It is a 180 minute game isn't it so we have stayed alive that is the most important thing, we are alive in the tie, well and truly alive.
“Obviously the boys at the top end of the pitch it is a really difficult night for them.
“Ianis, Cyriel, Vaclav, these sort of boys, Hamza and Ross when they come on, the amount of effort these boys put in to stop the pressure coming on top of us was incredible.
“So grateful because I actually didn't have a lot to do, comfortable saves and I had a penalty save.
“I am really pleased with everyone's efforts and we will just keep listening to the gaffer's message and we'll be alright.”
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