Fenerbahce clash not over, Balogun warns Rangers
Glasgow Rangers defender Leon Balogun has fired a note of warning to his teammates about Fenerbahce coach, Jose Mourinho, ahead of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 second-leg clash on Thursday.
The Gers head into the home fixture with a 3-1 advantage from Turkey last Thursday, courtesy of a scintillating performance from Cyriel Dessers.
The record Scottish Champions had this weekend off, affording them enough time to prepare for the tie but Balogun has urged his teammates to perform at their optimal level on Thursday if they’re to reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.
After the Fenerbahce game, Rangers take on Celtic in the Old Firm derby on Sunday, but the veteran Nigerian centre-back will not allow the local game to take his eye off the ball ahead of facing a wily character in Mourinho.
“It’s a big week with two perfect fixtures. Obviously, Fenerbahce is first up, and we had a very good result over there, but we’re going against the Special One with some very good players, and I think it’s far from over,” Balofun said via Daily Record.
“I can only speak for myself, but it really is like that (one game at a time). I don’t think about the weekend so much. Obviously, it is there, but those games are always big. Right now, the main focus is getting through to the next round in Europe, therefore, we have to focus on Fenerbahce. I’m sorry to be boring!
“It was a really good result and performance. But like I said, this is Mourinho, and I’m sure he will have a few tricks up his sleeve. He wouldn’t have been happy at all after the tie over there, but I think there’s a lot of confidence for us to take, and we can probably up our game in terms of on the ball,” Balogun added.
Rangers have been consistent in Europe for the last few years, becoming the only Scottish side to have secured an away win over the last 20 years following their victory in Turkey last week.
They also reached the final of the tournament in 2022, facing Eintracht Frankfurt in the final. The Gers drew 1-1 before losing 5-4 on penalties after extra time.
