Super Eagles star Leon Balogun may have been left out of Nigeria’s latest squad for World Cup qualifiers, but he remains a key figure for Rangers in Europe.

Leon Balogun and Cyriel Dessers shine in Glasgow as Rangers eliminate José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe from the Europa League

The 36-year-old Super Eagles star played a vital role as the Scottish side edged past Fenerbahce in a thrilling UEFA Europa League win, securing progress through a tense penalty shootout, Footballrover reports.

He endured 120 grueling minutes as Rangers triumphed over Fenerbahçe in a penalty shootout to secure a spot in the Europa League quarterfinals.

His passionate post-match remarks reflected both his pride in the team and his belief that they could go all the way in the competition.

Balogun dreams of European glory with Rangers

Despite being overlooked for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Balogun has remained a rock at the heart of Rangers’ defense.

This season, he has played more matches than in the last campaign, proving his worth to the squad.

Against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, he delivered another solid performance, soaking in the electric atmosphere at Ibrox.

Reflecting on the dramatic victory, Balogun expressed his admiration for the club’s passionate supporters, describing Thursday nights at Ibrox as “incredible.”

He acknowledged that Rangers’ domestic struggles had made their European adventure even more meaningful, fueling their determination to achieve something special.

“Nothing’s impossible”—Balogun backs Rangers for Europa League triumph

The former QPR defender has been in this position before, having reached the Europa League final with Rangers in 2022.

Now, he dares to dream again, urging his teammates to believe in their potential.

“You always enter competitions aiming to win them. Realism is needed, but I’ve been part of a group that made it to the final before. Nothing’s impossible,” he stated.

Before their quarter-final showdown against Athletic Bilbao on April 10, Rangers must first navigate a crucial Old Firm Derby against Celtic.

With the league title slipping out of reach, Balogun insists that fatigue won’t be an excuse, calling on his side to bring the same fighting spirit into Sunday’s clash.

Acknowledging the team’s inconsistencies, he emphasized the importance of proving their quality more consistently.

For Balogun, Rangers’ journey in the Europa League is about more than just silverware—it’s about making a statement.

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Last Updated on March 14, 2025 12:50 pm by Sir Kris