Rangers defender Leon Balogun has acknowledged that the team earned the angry reaction from fans following their disappointing defeat to Kilmarnock. The match, held at Rugby Park, saw Philippe Clement’s side stunned by Marley Watkins’s late winner, leaving them six points behind unbeaten Premiership leaders Celtic and Aberdeen.
The loss prompted a furious response from the travelling supporters, who voiced their displeasure at full-time. Balogun conceded that the fans’ frustration was entirely justified. “The fans really give their all to support us everywhere, near and far, like they say in their song,” he explained. “But it comes with something. You can’t just take that for granted… If you don’t deliver, it can be uncomfortable. You have to try to live up to their expectations as much as you can.”
Despite the opportunity to narrow the gap in the title race, Rangers struggled to find their rhythm against a well-organized Kilmarnock side. “The question doesn’t even need asking, it is obvious,” Balogun said, reflecting on the team’s performance. “It’s frustrating, disappointing. But yeah, we made our bed and we have to lay in it. We have to take responsibility for that.”
Clement, too, expressed disappointment in his team’s inability to capitalize on the previous day’s draw between Aberdeen and Celtic. “I agree with that,” Balogun said, emphasizing the challenge of playing at Kilmarnock. “It’s a tough place to play, and you have to earn the right to play here. We didn’t earn that right on Sunday. We were not aggressive enough in decisive moments.”
The veteran center-back acknowledged that Kilmarnock had the clearer chances throughout the match, stating, “It feels a bit harsh, but I think they had the clearer chances over the 90 minutes. It’s a missed opportunity, of course.”
As Rangers look to regroup, Balogun and his teammates must face the music and strive to restore the faith of their passionate supporters.
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