Leon Balogun admits Rangers deserved the furious fan backlash after their Kilmarnock clanger.
Philippe Clement’s team arrived at Rugby Park looking to fire themselves back into the title race mix. But they now find themselves six points adrift of unbeaten Premiership leaders Celtic and Aberdeen after being stunned by Marley Watkins’s late winner. The result sparked a heated response from the travelling faithful, with seething supporters telling their team where to go at the full-time whistle. And veteran centre-back Balgoun conceded the raging punters’ reaction was totally understandable.
He said: “The fans really give their all to support us everywhere, near and far, like they say in their song. But it comes with something. You can’t just take that for granted. I’m not saying anyone does. But you have to know that if you don’t deliver, it can be uncomfortable. And you have to try to live up to their expectations as much as you can. It’s not always reasonable what you then receive. I’m not for abuse of any sorts. But the criticism that comes up after a day like this, I think you have to face it.”
Despite the huge incentive on offer, Clement’s team never got going on Sunday as Derek McInnes’ well-drilled hosts deservedly ran off with three points. And the disappointment was clear on Balogun’s face after the match. “The question doesn’t even need asking, it is obvious,” he said as he was quizzed on his feelings. “It’s frustrating, disappointing. But yeah, we made our bed and we have to lay in it. We have to take responsibility for that, obviously. There’s no need to say how frustrating it is, it is extremely frustrating!”
Clement admitted there were no excuses for his team’s failure to capitalise on Saturday’s 2-2 draw between Jimmy Thelin’s rejuvenated Aberdeen and the Hoops at Parkhead.
“I agree with that,” said Balogun. “I think you know beforehand that Kilmarnock is always a difficult place to come to. That’s not supposed to serve as an excuse. They have a really good home record. That’s for a reason, but you know that before.
“You know that when you go into the season, it’s a tough place to play. And you have to earn the right to play here. And it’s very simple, we didn’t earn the right to play on Sunday. We were not aggressive enough in decisive moments. We didn’t bring that edge that you need to bring to this place in order to force the game onto them.
“And in the end, we got punished. It feels a bit harsh, but I think they had the clearer chances over the 90 minutes. Like I said, we made that bed for ourselves and we have to lay in it. It’s frustrating. I don’t like saying that here, but you have to be clear about it. It’s a missed opportunity, of course.”