Simpson: A Special Feeling

- The Foxes advanced to the quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory on Filbert Way 

- Simpson heaped praise on Kasper Schmeichel for his penalty save 

- City will discover their last-eight opponents on Friday morning 

says it was Leicester City’s belief and togetherness that helped them into the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals following what he called a ‘special’ night for the Club. 

A first-half strike from Wes Morgan and Marc Albrighton’s sweetly-struck half-volley saw the Foxes recover from to become the to reach the last-eight this term. 

For Simpson, helping to keep the Leicester’s Champions League dream alive was a thrilling feeling and one that came as a result of a spirited performance against a side that had not lost a knockout tie over two legs in Europe since August 2011. 

Speaking to LCFC TV, Simpson said: “It’s a great feeling and it’s hard to put into words being in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. It’s a special feeling. It was an emotional and tough night but we believed before the game that we could do it and we did. 

“I thought we played some really good stuff. We said before the game, if we can keep a clean sheet, we know we’ve got a great chance because with the players that we’ve got, we know we’re going to score. 

“In the end, we maybe could have scored more than a couple, but at the same time we had a bit of luck with the woodwork and Kasper [Schmeichel] made a great save. I think that’s what you need in games like this. 

“You look at us and we have belief and everyone is together pressing and putting pressure on top quality players. If you give them space and time then they will punish you, but we were back to ourselves and we just went for it.” 

Simpson had some kind words for his team-mates at full-time, not least , who saved a second penalty of the tie to prevent the game from going to extra-time. 

“To make two penalty saves in the Champions League like that on the bounce is amazing, it was a great save,” Simpson added. “He’s a top ‘keeper.

“I was actually quietly confident he was going to save it. He practiced penalties on Friday and guessed the right way every time with our lads, so I’m happy for him and we needed that.”