MOHAMED DIOMANDE has hailed the support from the Ibrox faithful in helping them progress through the tie in the Europa League last night.
On a night of ups and downs, Rangers prevailed on penalty kicks to progress through to the last eight after getting the better of Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce side.
Speaking to RangersTV after the game, the midfielder shared his pride in the group for booking their quarter-final spot, he said: “What can I say, I am happy again that the fans were behind us and I am proud of the team.
“We are into the quarter-finals and that is the most important thing.
“It was difficult but we did the job so I am very glad that we did.
“The fans were behind us and they were really pushing us.
“I know a lot of players were tired but they were all giving their best and especially at the back and I am really happy that they all pushed really hard to go to penalties and we did what we could to score them and we did and Jack saved us also so I am happy with that.
“I think it was the noise from the fans that made the guy put it over, I am really happy with what the fans have shown again.”
The Ivory Coast international praised the showing of goalkeeper Jack Butland, who played a big part in the triumph by saving two of the Turkish sides’ spot kicks to see the Gers progress with a 3-2 win in the shootout.
He continued: “We knew he was going to be good for us in the penalty kicks.
“Holding our nerve? It was about that; we had to keep the 2-0 and we also tried to score a goal as well.
“It is a game of football and I think we earned our luck and we are going to take it.”
The 23-year-old highlighted the work done in the first leg last Thursday evening with the Gers taking a 3-1 advantage into the night and now a last eight tie with Spanish side Athletic Club to look forward to in April.
He added: “Hard work done in Istanbul? Yes I would say that, I was happy that we got the 3-1 win in Istanbul.
“That was the hard part but it was tough here because they came really hard but with the resilience of the team it had everyone digging in and I am just really happy we are through to the next round.”