West Ham captain Declan Rice is proud reaching the Europa Conference League semifinals.

A 4-1 victory over KAA Gent sees West Ham reach the final four 5-2 on aggregate.

Rice said, “There has not been a lot to cheer about, but tonight we felt the fans and us as players you have seen us start to hit the form, we know we are capable of.

“It has taken longer than we expected this season, but we are hitting it at the right time. To get into the European semi-finals back-to-back I don't think that should be underestimated how big that is for this Club.

“We can't underestimate this. You see how much Roma celebrated winning it last year, it is so big for the Club, for the manager, and for the players. And for me, this competition has been taken seriously and we want to go the whole way."

Rice struck a wonder goal on the night and also said: “I've scored some good top corner ones, but the way I picked it up, I knew I had that space in front of me and once I started to drive with the ball. I saw the defender and I took a touch with my right and just saw his whole body move the other way and I thought, 'if I take you back left here, you're not going to be able to get me', and that's exactly what happened. He [Okumu] was dancing away, so I just put it in the back of the net.

"With the celebration, it's a funny thing that I score and I don't know what to do. I just run off and did the knee-slide and the lads smothered me. As a footballer, I will look back on these nights when I retire. And I'll just think 'Wow'. What a feeling to score. I am absolutely buzzing."