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Nigeria international Leon Balogun believes the attack on the Super Eagles by their own fans in Benin, Edo State prepared him for dealing with demands and expectations at Rangers, The PUNCH reports.
Balogun was among the Eagles team that was stoned in Benin-City in 2020 after giving up a 4-0 lead to draw 4-4 against Sierra Leone in one of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
The game seemed over, with the Eagles leading 4-0 in the first 40 minutes before the Sierra Leoneans got one back before the end of the first half.
The Leone Stars ran riot in the second half to draw level and almost snatched a winner.
Balogun, who was substituted in the second half for Semi Ajayi in that encounter, and his Rangers teammates endured another frustration and groans from the home fans at Ibrox on Sunday as they struggled to a 1-0 win over Hearts.
Compatriot Cyriel Dessers scored after six minutes, but far from settling Philippe Clement’s side down, the Light Blues toiled to leave their fans nervous until the final whistle.
Speaking after the game, Balogun recalled the ordeal in the hands of Benin-City fans.
“Playing for the Nigerian national team actually prepared me, because believe me or not, they probably have just as much expectation as our supporters,” he said.
“Let me put one out there. I was at Rangers at the time, and we played against Sierra Leone.
“We were winning 4-1—good for me as I came off after 60 minutes—and we ended the game 4-4.
“And on the way back to the hotel, some of the security staff said, ‘don’t sit next to the windows.’.
“Some players closed the curtains, and then five minutes into the drive, you turned the corner, and they threw stones at the bus, our own fans. So I guess that kind of prepared me.
“The expectation of Nigeria was always really, really high. So I’ve met something like it before, and I think that helped me personally.
“It’s my fourth season at the club; I know what it can be like, and you just have to get on with it to be very honest. There are moments probably where you think, OK, that’s a bit unreasonable, but it’s just the club.
“You have to put that weight on your shoulders as soon as you put on the shirt and deal with it.
“And obviously it can have an impact every now and then, or sometimes for some players more than others, especially if they’re a bit younger if they’re not used to it.
“But like I said, you have to get on with it.”
