Rangers defender Leon Balogun says the sense of unity in the team played a key role in Sunday’s 1-0 win against Celtic.
Filip Helander’s 66th minute super header was the difference between both teams at the Ibrox Stadium.
It came at the end of a Covid-disrupted week for Gers, who were missing a number of regular players and staff, including manager Steven Gerrard.
“Out there, there are a lot of people running their mouths whenever something negative happens around our club, which is not even our fault as we all live in this pandemic, but we have shown today, we are a big family,”Balogun told Rangers TV.
“It is the first time I have met the fans in an Old Firm, and the way they pushed us was magnificent and you can only say thank you.
“They kept us pushing – we have had a tough week and some setbacks within the group, but everyone stuck together, people have been stepping up from the reserves and everywhere, and you saw what it was all about and it was amazing.
“You have to do that in every game when you are representing this club, especially in that game.
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“It means so much, and you saw after the final whistle what it means to everyone – to us, to club members, to staff to supporters – it makes it that much sweeter and it is an amazing feeling.”
Balogun was thrilled with his own performance, and he lauded the impact of the 50,000 inside Ibrox for helping the team through, particularly in the latter part of the match.
He added: “My legs were screaming in the last 10 minutes, but you have to step up sometimes. There is not much we can do about the situation, so you just have to step up and bring your best.
“Today, I am lucky my best looked that way, even in an unusual position for me, but it has been amazing.
“I am still a bit out of breath but that old body can still move!
“[The atmosphere] makes you want to put in that work and sacrifice everything and leave everything out there if you hear those fans.
“After the goal I was running back and had goosebumps – it was outstanding after the final whistle too and what can I say, it was a very happy day for Rangers.
“But what we need to do is use this as our standard.”
