Stone-throwing Super Eagles’ fans toughened me, says Balogun

Leon Balogun believes that sitting on Nigeria’s team bus as unhappy fans pelted it with stones prepared him for dealing with demands and expectations at Rangers, reports PA.

The 36-year-old defender and his Rangers team-mates had to survive the frustrations and groans from the home fans at Ibrox, on Sunday as they struggled to a 1-0 win over Hearts.

Striker Cyriel Dessers scored after six minutes but far from settling Philippe Clement’s side down, the Light Blues toiled to leave their fans in a state of nervous anxiety until the final whistle.

Balogun, in his second spell at Ibrox, recalled a much more volatile situation after Nigeria let slip a comfortable lead in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier four years ago.

“Playing for the Nigerian national team prepared me, because believe me or not, they probably have just as much expectation as our supporters,” he said.

“Let me put one out there. I was at Rangers at the time and we played against Sierra Leone.

“We were winning 4-1 – good for me as I came off after 60 minutes – and we ended the game 4-4. And on the way back to the hotel, some of the security staff said: “Don’t sit next to the windows.”

“Some players closed the curtains and then five minutes into the drive, you turn the corner and they threw stones at the bus, our fans. So, I guess that kind of prepared me.

“The expectation of Nigeria was always really, really high. So, I’ve met something like it before, and I think that helped me personally.

“It’s my fourth season at the club, I know what it can be like, and you just have to get on with it to be very honest, there are moments probably where you think, OK, that’s a bit unreasonable, but it’s just the club.

“You have to put that weight on your shoulders as soon as you put