1 week Ago By Andy Devlin
IT was the meeting that no one wanted — but the conversation that every crestfallen Rangers star had to have. In the wake of a humiliating FIFTH straight loss at Ibrox , interim gaffer Barry Ferguson ’s patience finally snapped. 5 Rangers' Leon Balogun is excited to face Bilbao Credit: Willie Vass 5 Balogun is likely to start with John Souttar unavailable Credit: Willie Vass 5 They're off the back of another home defeat Credit: Alamy Having questioned their Gers credentials in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat to Hibs , raging Fergie tore through his flops on Monday morning.
But ahead of tonight’s huge clash with Athletic Bilbao, veteran defender Leon Balogun believes that dressing-room showdown was badly needed. The stopper revealed: “It was a very straightforward and honest conversation, which needed to be held. “We all know that recent performances, domestically especially, just haven’t been good enough.
Read more Rangers stories JUDGEMENT DAY Vaclav Cerny learns fate over watergate bust-up with Celtic fans RANGERS VS BILBAO Predictions and tips for mammoth Europa League quarter final first leg “If you lose five on the spin at Ibrox, at this club, that’s not something you should be able to accept. “It was very open, no filter, but with a very positive outcome. “If you see what has come of it, I’m sure you’ll understand that I cannot give you any of the nitty-gritty.
“But if you see how the conversation went, how honest and straightforward it was, there were definitely some things that needed to be said, that needed to be heard. Most read in Europa League PASS IT ON Urgent warning to Scots as new passport changes rolled out tomorrow JUDGEMENT DAY Vaclav Cerny learns fate over watergate bust-up with Celtic fans HORROR INFERNO Scots battery plant EXPLODES for second time one year after first blast NO CAN DO Greg Taylor's post-Celtic future thrown into doubt after club's shock decision “It led to a positive outcome as a group.” That positivity MUST transcend to the stands tonight.
Should Rangers stick with Jack Butland vs Athletic Bilbao or drop him for Liam Kelly The fans’ mass exodus last Saturday before full-time hurt Ferguson, and Balogun, 36, admitted the players owe the supporters a huge performance. Most of Gers’ best displays this season have been reserved for Europe and the defender knows it’s going to take another special one if they are to see off Bilbao and secure a place in the Europa League semi-finals. He added: “You look at performances here that we had in the past, and you might think it’s hard to say there is a problem playing at home .
You can’t really put your finger on it. Overall, we just lack consistency this season. “I can’t say it’s down to the fact that it’s Ibrox.
I’d like not to think so, just based on my own experience here. “I’ve been in some tough games, but overall it’s a joy to be here, to play in front of 50,000, every single game. “I would like to think that this is not a problem, it’s more an issue with consistency.
“It just makes it worse that it happens to be this season that at Ibrox we seem to struggle more than ever. “There are things to make up for, definitely. “As much as there have been things this season that we gave back to them, we need to give them more of those moments.
That, I feel, is indisputable.” Despite their domestic troubles, Gers have had a spring in their step in Europe. Ferguson and his players need Ibrox rocking from the get-go against the Spaniards, with Balogun admitting the players themselves must raise the bar.
He said: “It definitely wasn’t a happy place after last Saturday, but we were all clear on the fact that now we are in a quarter-final. “It is separate from what’s happening domestically. “That’s a fact and we have to focus on that, and there’s a lot to look forward to.
“There’s a massive opportunity for the players, for the club too. “For me, the last two days were pretty positive. 5 Rangers train ahead of tonight's match Credit: PA 5 Superstar Erling Haaland was unfit to play when Rangers faced Dortmund in 2022 Credit: Alamy “Everybody’s aware of the domestic side of it, but we can focus on that after Europe.
“It’s on us to make the fans believe. That’s pretty much my answer. We have to prove it.
We have to turn things around, and the only way to do that is to follow us with action.” With fellow centre-half John Souttar suspended, Balogun is likely to start. The vastly-experienced former Nigeria international knows Bilbao carry a threat in almost every area of the park .
Yet he can’t wait to come up against Nico Williams and Co and has vowed he and his team-mates WILL rise to the Euro challenge against the classy Spaniards. Balogun added: “It’s going to be a big challenge, but that goes for any player in the world who plays against him these days. “It’s a privilege to be able to play against these types of players.
“I remember when we went all the way to the final three years ago, I was desperate to play against Erling Haaland , but he wasn’t fit for the games . “In hindsight, maybe it was better that he didn’t play, we don’t know. But this is the type of mindset you need to have.
“Yes, they are really good players, world-class some of them. But those are the games, those are the type of matches that you dream of when you’re a young boy. “We should just embrace it and be joyful about it.
Read more on the Scottish Sun FIRST PEEK First look at Channel 4's gritty new thriller starring Dougray Scott set PASS IT ON Urgent warning to Scots as new passport changes rolled out tomorrow “How do we become brave on the ball and not hide? We need to live through those difficult moments, but also remember that we do have the quality to do it. We’ve shown it more than enough this season, despite the ups and downs. “It’s just about repetition and it’s about upping your own standard, holding yourself accountable first and foremost.
” Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page.
