Champions League: Nigerian defender Balogun sets group stage target with Rangers 

By Wale Mustapha

Nigerian defender, Leon Balogun is hoping to see his club, Glasgow Rangers qualify to the group stage of this season’s UEFA Champions League. 

The Scottish club are set to take on Ukrainian side, Dynamo Kiev in the last qualifying round of the tournament with first leg taking place on Wednesday. 

Victory over two legs will guarantee a place in the money spinning group stage of the competition.

The 36-year-old Balogun said the ambition to reach the group stage is his biggest motivation.

“I have never played in the Champions League, I have played in qualifiers before, for Rangers as well, it didn’t work out.

“At this stage of my career it would be one of my biggest achievements, that is my personal motivation and I’m sure every single player who came out here today has their own individual reasons to go to the group stages.

“I think everybody is very determined to put in a performance tomorrow. It has obviously been a quick turnaround, but it is a big occasion,” Balogun told a press conference ahead of the clash in Lublin.

The Nigeria international signed a one-year contract extension with Rangers earlier this summer.