There were a few questionable decisions in the summer in terms of Rangers signings, one of them being re-signing Leon Balogun who had struggled for game time at QPR the previous season.
The 35-year old was a key element of the squad that won 55 in rotation with Filip Helander but there was a reason why he was released, he couldn’t stay fit.
When Rangers brought Leon Balogun back, few would have expected him to become first choice alongside Connor Goldson, however, his display against Hearts is the perfect answer.
Rangers have reliable rock in Leon Balogun
Cards on the table, I wasn’t happy when he was signed and there is still a part of me that is frustrated at the lack of game time Leon King is getting this season, due in part to the return of the veteran Nigeria international.
But if he maintains this sort of level, then he is ahead of both Ben Davies and John Souttar in the queue.
Looking at FotMob statistics from the game at Tynecastle, Rangers had to withstand something of an aerial assault at times and Leon Balogun was key to keeping Hearts at bay.
With 11 clearances, seven headed clearances, five out of six headed duels won and 100% success for ground duels, the 35-year old was immense.
It was as good an individual performance as we have seen from any Rangers player this season, given the circumstances.
Balogun isn’t available to play in mid-week European games and, with Dundee the visitors to Ibrox at the weekend, Philippe Clement will probably be considering wrapping up the towering defender in cotton wool for the league cup final.
The frustrating thing is, Rangers shouldn’t have to rely on Leon Balogun to win games this season and be more solid at the back with an international defender and £4m signing sitting in the stand.
But if he keeps playing like this, the Gers boss doesn’t have that hard a decision to make.
