Leon Balogun wants new Rangers contract as he admits he's 'fallen in love' at Ibrox

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Leon Balogun woke up on the morning of the Scottish Cup Final feeling like it didn’t really matter after the heartache of Seville followed by the sadness of the Jimmy Bell farewell.

But when the final whistle went at Hampden, the Rangers defender realised winning the trophy actually meant everything. It wasn’t just the silverware to give Gers something to show for their lung busting campaign.But it was a symbol of everything the Ibrox club has had to go through, this season and beyond.Balogun channelled a bit of Bill Struth in the bowels of Hampden yesterday afternoon, paraphrasing the old line about emerging stronger because of the trials that had been overcome.

The centre back said: “I still get a little bit of tension before the games, even at my age. But today I felt a bit numb.“A lot has happened and we also said goodbye to Jimmy Bell yesterday.“It was tough.“You just try to pick yourself up and try to see some sense in it.“I think it helps me understand the club a bit more because the club has been through a lot.“I don’t want to say it’s typical but it’s like you get knocked down hard but you get you get back up.“It’s great to finish the season on a high after two knocks.“It’s amazing to turn the flat feeling from the last few day reach such a high.“It makes a lot of mental strength.

It might sound a bit weird but I think everybody felt today didn’t matter.“Obviously it does matter, but that was how much we wanted to in the European final.