Win‘a tribute to victims of Ibrox Disaster’
Leon Balogun credited a stirring halftime team talk from Steven Gerrard and a desire to pay tribute to the victims of the Ibrox Disaster as the secrets of Rangers’ derby success.
The Light Blues were mostly on the back foot for the first 45 minutes during which Celtic looked much the likelier winners.
“They really caused us trouble in the first-half. There is no denying that,” said the Nigerian internationalist.
“But I think we showed a good reaction and the manager had a lot to do with that – he knows how to get to us.
“I’m not going to expose details but he touches the right spots because he’s been there himself as a player.
“He knows it won’t help to just tear us down but he also knows which buttons to push in order for us to reset.
“We were all wearing that badge today ( marking the 50th anniversary of the Ibrox Disaster) on our shirts today.
“For us, for the cause and the mission that we’re on, it’s massive.
“But then when you think about the club – because it’s more than just us players, it’s the fans that make the club – then it’s even more massive.
“To win an Old Firm game on that day, I think it’s something that will maybe give comfort to the people who have been affected, the families.
“I think it’s a great gift from us, as representatives of the club, to the supporters.”
For Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths, though, the difference between the teams was Allan Mcgregor, who pulled off a stunning save to deny him a firsthalf goal.
“I thought it was in, but he is a worldclass goalkeeper,” he said.
“That’s what he brings you – he wins you points.
“I couldn’t have hit it any sweeter. He got his fingertips to it and it has hit the post.
“Listen, it was a chance for me and I never put it away.
“We train hard this week, reflect and get ready for Hibs next Monday.”