LEON Balogun praised match winner Cyriel Dessers for being Rangers’ hero once again.
The Nigerian international’s first half strike was enough to give Philippe Clement’s side all three points in the win over Hearts.
Dessers has now netted three goals in the last three games, to help the club reach the Premier Sports Cup final and claim a point in the Europa League draw with Olympiacos on Thursday night.
Balogun, who returned to the starting line-up after missing the draw with Olympiacos, was delighted for his international teammate - who has notched ten goals this term - and hopes there are plenty more to come.
Speaking to RangersTV, he said: “We need Cyriel up there.
“I wish sometimes that he would reward himself more. Everyone would benefit from that.
“He is really trying and I am pleased for him to score three goals on the bounce. It is good for his confidence and hopefully he picks up even more.
“I have found the last few weeks challenging. I hadn’t played for nearly two months and then we have had four games in ten days.
“I am not complaining but it takes its toll and you have to be managed well and that’s why the breather I got on Thursday came at a good time, even though I wanted to play.
“I am really happy, we have had some good performances and I am enjoying being back in the team.”
On the back of a hectic schedule, Balogun admits the squad can play better, but knows the win over the Jambos was the most important factor.
He added: “The first half was pretty good but in the second half we dropped off and you could feel that.
“We made it a lot harder than it had to be, but I think there were enough good things to have a good game but we were quite wasteful in transition moments.
“We have to do a lot better. If you see the first half and then the second, this isn’t how you want to end the game.
“We defended well and got a clean sheet which is always good for a defender.
“We got the win in the end, so I don’t want to be too negative but we have to be realistic.
“You have to consider in the performances, there will be a drop in energy which is the reason why it is crucial to put games to bed if we have the possibilities and I think we did have them.
“To be honest the boys are doing well, especially the ones who aren’t used to playing here, or have been injured for a while, like Nico Raskin.
“He has stepped up in the last few games and he deserves credit, Connor Barron as well.
“Nedim Bajrami and Vaclav Cerny, they tried their best but if you come to this club you have expectations and you have to be ready all the time.”