Leon Balogun: Buying Time at Ibrox

Leon Balogun’s first stint with Glasgow Rangers was in the summer of 2020, when the Super Eagles defender signed a one-year contract with the Scottish giants with an option to extend. And after an impressive first season, Rangers renewed his contract by another year. The 36-year-old however left at the expiration of his contract to pitch tent with Queens Park Rangers in England. He returned to Hampden Park after a year. His return was hugely celebrated by The Gers faithful. But, with several injuries that have plagued him this season, thereby reducing his playing time, and the quest for a pacey central defender by Coach Barry Ferguson, Balogun may just be buying time at Ibrox

Leon Balogun returned to Hampden Park in the summer of 2023 after a brief stint with Queens Park Rangers in the EFL Championship, penning a one-year deal with Rangers. Before the end of last season, his stay with the club was extended for another year.

Former Rangers and Scotland midfielder, Derek Ferguson, has however warned the Scottish Record champions against renewing the 36-year-old contract.

So far this season, the Nigerian defender has racked up more appearances than he managed throughout the entirety of the last campaign, but he has also been riddled with injuries, and his body is beginning to tell as he nears the end of his career.

In 12 starts for Barry Ferguson’s side this season, Balogun has only completed four and was subbed off in eight of those due to injuries.

While many have tipped the former Mainz 05 man to stay in Rangers for another year, former Ibrox star, Derek Ferguson, and the Gers current head coach, Barry Ferguson, think otherwise.

Balogun shows what it means to be a player for Rangers, giving his all on the pitch till his lungs give out. Ferguson believes his body can’t simply take it anymore, and a renewal is not worth the risk.

“I think he’ll be off. He’s done terrifically well since coming back in, but he’s 36 and injury-prone. He’s a good player, but is he someone Rangers should be looking to tie down? No. He’s done well across two spells, but no, it’s time for Leon to look elsewhere.

“Rangers will need to look for a younger version of Balogun – a player with pace, power and good in the air. Leon is just too fragile,” the 57-year-old said in an interview with Ibrox News.

Interestingly, legendary Rangers defender, John Brown has called on the Nigerian centre-back to be more physical in his defensive approach, following his performance in Rangers’ dramatic 4-3 comeback victory over Dundee United.

Balogun started the game but was substituted at halftime, with Ianis Hagi coming on as Rangers overturned a two-goal deficit to secure the win.

Before his exit, the Nigerian defender played a crucial role by clearing a dangerous ball after Cyriel Dessers’ had blocked an effort on the goal line.

However, he went down and seem to have sustained an injury in the process, prompting Brown to call for greater toughness in his defensive play.

Despite acknowledging Balogun’s commitment, Brown expressed his belief that the 36-year-old should show more toughness when making defensive challenges. 

“He likes a knock. I’d like to see my centre-half be tougher, just take it and get on with it,” Brown commented, as reported by Rangers News. 

The former defender insisted that while Balogun’s clearance was crucial, he must be more robust in such moments to avoid unnecessary setbacks. 

Balogun has been a key player for Rangers this season, making 16 league appearances and contributing a goal and an assist.

However, injuries have sidelined him for 10 games, raising concerns about his durability. 

With Rangers pushing to end the season on a positive note, Balogun will be eager to maintain his fitness and incorporate Brown’s advice to stay effective at the heart of the defense.

While there’s barely anything left for Rangers to salvage domestically, the fighting spirit they displayed yesterday will be crucial in their UEFA Europa League campaign. Knowing it could be his last lap, Balogun will be giving his all to fight for his potential debut European trophy.

The Gers will play against Athletic Club in the Europa League quarter-final on April 10. The first leg will be played at Hampden Park, giving the Scottish side the home advantage.

Meanwhile, players of the Super Eagles of Nigeria have told head coach, Eric Chelle to hand a recall to the Rangers defender largely due to his experience following the 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Uyo last Tuesday.

Balogun last played for the team two years ago, no thanks to his poor form at club level in the past, but he has showed glimpses of his best at Scottish side Rangers this season.

The 36-year-old has played a total of 23 games in all competitions this season. A sign of how well he has maintained his physical shape since shaking off the injuries and fitness issues that slowed him down for almost two years.

Despite his impressive form this season he wasn’t called up by Chelle for the World Cup qualifier games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively, with Nigeria winning 2-0 in Kigali before drawing 1-1 at home against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles conceded late in the game with captain William Troost-Ekong guilty of letting his man go past him easily. The goal further compounded the chances of Nigeria making it to the World Cup next year, leaving some players unhappy with the selection for the game.

”We needed a defender and our coach didn’t have much faith in Igho Ogbu, who is new in the team and Jordan Torunarigha, who was called up as a replacement for Nathan Tella. At that stage you needed a player of Balogun’s experience,” one of the players said at the airport before departing for his base.

”You can ask the other players. We all felt the same way after the game. Granted that Balogun probably can’t play two games in four days, but he can help us see out games in crucial moments like on Tuesday. We saw Jose Peseiro used Kenneth Omeruo at the AFCON when we needed to close a game down”, he concluded.

“I have always been available. I’ve never said that I retired from international football, and I think the people who need to know are aware that I’m still very much willing and ambitious to represent the national team,” Balogun once said in an interview.

Since making his debut for Nigeria in 2014, Balogun has earned 46 caps and scored one goal for the Super Eagles.