Nottingham Forest full-back Ola Aina has reacted to earlier warnings that the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium would be a hostile environment, joking that the atmosphere felt more like 'heaven' after their commanding 3-0 victory on Thursday.

The Nigeria international played the full 90 minutes as Nottingham Forest produced a commanding performance away from home.

Aina delivered a composed and disciplined display at the back as the Premier League side sealed a comfortable win, with goals from Murillo dos Santos, Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White securing the result.

In a video that has since gone viral online, Aina revealed that the squad had been cautioned about the notoriously intense atmosphere awaiting them in Turkey.

The former Chelsea defender joked that the intimidating atmosphere in Istanbul felt more like heaven than the feared hostility. 

"Came to Istanbul, they told us welcome to hell. It was feeling like heaven though," Aina said. 

After the commanding performance, the Super Eagles fullback will be hoping Nottingham Forest can finish the job in the second leg and secure a place in the UEFA Europa League round of 16.

Adeyemi Adewale