BALOGUN GLAD TO WIN ON EMOTIONAL DAY

THE significance of the occasion could not be understated. It was a day when the future ambitions of Rangers became even brighter, while the darkness of the past was respectfully remembered. Steven Gerrard’s men knew they had to deliver. A victory was required to move a step closer to their first league title since 2011.

That they duly sealed this triumph spoke volumes of their spirit, even if they were handed a huge slice of luck by Nir Bitton’s rash decision to haul down Alfredo Morelos and receive a red card.

But while events on the pitch matter greatly in this of all seasons, Rangers were also determined to win the New Year derby as football marked the 50th anniversary of the Ibrox Disaster.

The horror of the past — when 66 supporters lost their lives in a crush on Stairway 13 — will always be remembered. On an emotional day, the Premiership leaders could take extra pride in this accomplishment against their fierce rivals.

‘We were all wearing that badge on our shirts today,’ said Rangers defender Leon Balogun (below).

‘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 — it’s even more massive.

‘To win an Old Firm game on that day, it’s something that maybe gives 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.’

It was a victory which seemed unlikely after the hosts had been outperformed by Neil Lennon’s side in the first half.

Bitton’s dismissal l changed everything. g. Suddenly, Rangers had d the urgency and advantage tage as Callum McGregor’s own goal proved enough in the end to move the Ibrox men a mammoth 19 points clear at the top of the table, albeit Celtic have three games in hand.

Balogun admitted Gerrard made his feelings known to the players in the dressing room at half-time.

‘He knows how to get to us,’ said the Nigerian international, who started ahead of Filip Helander. ‘Every time he has to kick our backsides, we give a reaction.

‘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 knows which buttons to push in order for us to reset.

‘I’m not telling any secrets if I say we were happy (afterwards). Relief is the wrong word.

‘But especially to come through that game, after the first half, there was definitely a bit of excitement in the dressing room.

‘It’s fair to express that but then again we have another target in seven days.

‘The job goes on. It’s a great start into the new year. We worked hard for it and we must keep that going.’

Once again, Rangers were reliant on a man-of-the-match performance from Allan McGregor.

The goalkeeper, who turns 39 later this month, produced several crucial blocks. And, of course, there was that outstanding save from Leigh Griffiths in the first half.

‘He is a big character, you can tell that,’ noted Balogun. ‘He has a big voice and sometimes it feels like we have to slow him down a bit. But at the same time, personally, I think it’s something that helps the team.

‘Allan is the one who wants to win the league the most with this team, because of the history. His contribution today was massive.

‘He even tried to cheat a little bit by saying he didn’t touch the shot he put on to the post. But he was taking away some of the credit because it was a great save.’

Balogun is certain complacency won’t creep into Rangers from now until the end of the season. despite the extended points cushion.

Gerrard’s men are no strangers to a collapse after the New Year. But, with their huge lead at the summit, it will take a monumental shift for Rangers to blow it this time. ‘At half-time, we said we had to step up our game,’ added Balogun.

‘Celtic really caused us t trouble in the first half. T There is no denying that. B But I think we showed a g good reaction.

‘ ‘The red card helped as wel well. But I’m happy to have won because it was a big game game, es especially on this day.

‘It’s huge for us but then, at the same time, there’s nothing for us to get carried away with. This season is still long — although this was a big and important step for us.

‘Complacency is dangerous. We were maybe complacent in the first half and we all saw how that could hurt us.

‘We worked ourselves into a place where we deserved to get some luck but I don’t think that’s anything we should rely on.

‘There have been a few indicators in some of our recent games and we’ll definitely look at that to improve our performances.

‘Celtic have three games in hand. So that’s how we look at it — the gap is not as big as it looks right now.

‘We are the challengers. So we have to prove in every game that we want it. And we need to show that from the start of games.

‘Some of the last few games haven’t been fluid, so it’s a big challenge for us to get back to our best as soon as possible now.’