LEON BALOGUN has hailed a ‘big achievement’ from the squad as Rangers booked their place in the Europa League quarter-finals this evening.
Having to do it the hard way the Gers ran out victorious on penalties after seeing their 3-1 advantage from the first leg cancelled out by Fenerbahce before getting over the line on spot kicks.
Speaking to RangersTV to reflect on the night, the defender said: “How are we feeling? Very tired but very proud and happy, it is a big achievement for the group and for the club again.
“I think it is massive for the supporters; they have been craving to get something back from us and this was the moment.
“I am happy that we could provide even though it was high tension but we made it.
“We put in the ground work last week but we know that it was going to be tougher today and we could have made it easier for ourselves, we could have been a bit more clinical and tidier on the ball but if it was not for that Jack Butland doesn't get his great moment so I am taking it as it is.
“At the end it did go our way, we just made it harder on the night certainly than we wished for.
“We showed a lot of character today and it is on us just to be a bit more consistent on that, because you can see there is quality in the group, especially last week in the game you could see that.
“At times today we were lacking a bit of bravery and courage on the ball, but we got it over the line.
“Everybody definitely has something to be proud of and now we are going into the quarter-finals which is massive.”
The 36-year-old has paid tribute to the fans for lifting the team on a night when they didn’t have it all their own way, with a last eight clash against Spanish side Athletic Bilbao to look forward too next month.
He added: “They have always been special; I think my relationship with the fans is great and always has been.
“I know what I got from them and that goes for a lot of players.
“It is just nice that you give them something back because they probably feel like we have let them down a lot of times this season and you can't really blame them, but if you see the numbers they had out there today and the noise they made there is nothing like it.
“It is extremely special, Fenerbahce for me personally in 17 years is one of the best atmospheres I have seen and witnessed and then you just come here and you have got this going on.
“They were right behind us even when we were struggling in the game.
“That is just what we needed and it is special also with what happened last week in Istanbul with Christopher Potter so it was something for his family to remember as well, a very special night overall.”