Leon Balogun, a defender for the Super Eagles, may join Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premiership after parting relations with the team in June. After the Ibrox giants fired Giovanni van Bronckhorst due to poor results, Queens Park Rangers manager Michael Beale is expected to take over as the new Rangers manager.
Beale, Steven Gerrard’s assistant manager at Rangers, signed Balogun after Rangers released him, and knowing the Nigerian defender’s abilities, he will want to re-sign him. Ibrox legend Ally McCoist was stunned that Rangers allowed Balogun go before being fired, particularly with Van Bronckhorst battling defensive injuries. The 34-year-old defender’s contract expires in the summer, therefore he is unrestricted in his discussions with teams on a pre-contract arrangement.
According to McCoist, who was quoted by the Evening Glasgow Times, “A lot of agreements need to fall into place, but Balogun could certainly be a beneficial addition for Rangers again given their present defensive injury woes.”
In August 2022, Balogun agreed to a one-year contract with QPR, and on October 22, he scored his first goal for the team against Wigan Athletic, which turned out to be the game-winning goal. He has been in excellent form, making 12 appearances and providing one assist, and if Beale is officially named as Rangers’ new coach, he might return to the Scottish Premiership League.
Along with Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey, Balogun was a member of the Rangers team that won the Scottish league championship in 2021 and advanced to the Europa League final in May.
Rangers lost all six of its group-stage matches in the Champions League, including a 7-1 thrashing by Liverpool at home. As a result, the club is currently nine points behind leaders Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
