LEON BALOGUN took a swipe at Rangers' critics who had been 'running their mouth' as the champions overcame the odds to earn a deserved Old Firm victory.

Steven Gerrard's side have come in for some harsh analysis after a lacklustre start to the campaign in recent weeks and didn't have their problems to seek ahead of the Celtic clash.

Balogun filled in at right-back after Nathan Patterson became the latest Ibrox star to be caught up in the Covid issues that have decimated the Gers squad and forced Gerrard into isolation at home.

But Celtic couldn't capitalise on their Old Firm rivals' woes as Filip Helander headed home the winner to give Rangers a significant shot in the arm ahead of the international break.

Balogun told RangersTV: "It’s amazing. If you come after us… there are a lot of people running their mouth when something negative happens around our club.

"It's not even our fault because we all live in this pandemic. Whenever something like this happens, we have people coming after us.

"But we have shown today what awaits you if you do that. That's the big family.

"It’s the first time I’ve met the fans in an Old Firm. It has been magnificent the way they have been pushing us.

"You can only say thank you on behalf of the team. They just kept us pushing.

"We had a tough week behind us, some setbacks within the group, but everybody just stuck together.

"People have been stepping up from the reserves, from everywhere. We have shown what that is about. It’s been amazing.

"You have to [leave everything out there] in every game if you represent that club.

"Especially in that game. It means so much. You see after the final whistle what it means to everyone - to us, to club members, staff, supporters.

"It makes it that much sweeter. It’s an amazing feeling."