“We Didn’t Show Enough Quality” – Leon Balogun Reflects on Rangers’ Painful Europa League Exit

Rangers defender Leon Balogun has voiced his disappointment following the team’s 3-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao, which sealed their quarter-final exit from the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.

After a promising 0-0 draw in the first leg at Ibrox, hopes were high among the Light Blues faithful. But in the return fixture at San Mamés Stadium, Ernesto Valverde’s side proved too clinical, capitalizing on Rangers’ lackluster performance to comfortably advance to the semi-finals.

In a post-match interview with the BBC, Balogun didn’t hold back in his honest assessment of the team’s performance:

“I think you have to be honest and I don’t think we showed enough quality today in order to severely threaten them,” said the 27-year-old.
“We all came here with a lot more expectations probably to ourselves and we did not really live up to it.”

⚽ Analysis: A Missed Opportunity for the Light Blues

Balogun’s words reflect not just the frustration of the night, but a wider concern — one that many Rangers supporters may share. The Scottish giants came into the second leg with a real chance to make history and possibly advance to the final stages of the competition, yet were outclassed tactically and technically by a spirited Spanish side.

This wasn’t just about a bad night — it was about not rising to the occasion when it mattered most.

💭 Opinion: Rangers Need More Than Spirit — They Need Belief and Bite

There’s no questioning the work ethic and heart in this Rangers squad, but as Balogun alluded to, that’s not always enough in European competitions. Against a side like Athletic Bilbao, you need cutting edge, mental resilience, and the kind of composure that defines big teams on big nights.

Rangers lacked that — and not for the first time in European campaigns. If the Scottish side wants to compete consistently at this level, they’ll need to invest not just in new talent, but in a mentality shift that allows them to turn opportunities into results.

For now, fans will appreciate Balogun’s honesty. But moving forward, Rangers will have to do more than just talk — they’ll need to show it on the pitch.

📢 What did you think of Rangers’ Europa League run this season? Do you agree with Balogun’s comments? Let’s hear it!