Leon Balogun has revealed what stunned him when he first signed for Rangers in the summer of 2020.
The Nigerian central defender rocked up at Ibrox on a free transfer during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic after being let go by Wigan Athletic. It turned out to be a fantastic decision as Balogun notched three assists in 19 games during Rangers’ memorable 55 campaign, before being rewarded with a contract extension.
Balogun would then play 37 games in one season – the most in his career – as Rangers went all the way to the Europa League and Scottish Cup Finals, winning the latter against Hearts. He would play across five competitions that season and surely by the end of that campaign, what he was told when first joining the club was ringing true in his ears.
And that was how relentless it can be playing for Rangers across three domestic competitions as well as European duties. It’s similar story in the present day for Balogun, who has been central to Philippe Clement’s defensive structure alongside Connor Goldson.
The 35-year-old is preparing for his third matchday in a week against Ross County tonight and the busy festive schedule brought him back to the time when first signing for Rangers and what lay ahead for him at Ibrox.
Rangers schedule ‘shocked’ Leon Balogun
Speaking to the written press ahead of the Staggies encounter, Balogun said: “I think if you play for Rangers, in my case at least and that is probably the same for most of the boys who have been here for some time, you are used to it.
“When I first came here they told me on average you play 55, 60 games. Wow! That is a big number, that. Especially coming from Germany when you have 17 games plus a few cup games and if you play for a team like I played then unfortunately it is only until the second round! It was very shocking!
“But that is a different story and you have to prepare for it. The manager, the whole staff like the sports science staff, the medical staff, everybody keeps us on our toes so that we get the treatment, we do the add-ons in terms of cryotherapy. You get groomed for it and you get prepared for it and you follow the flow.
“I am 35, I have been trying to live like that for a few years now in order to add some years towards the end. It is not working out so badly for me. We are very privileged as footballers to be doing what we are doing. There comes a lot of joy with it, a lot of nice things come with being a footballer. A lot of sacrifice as well. But we have all the time in the world.
“You need to work on your craft all the time to be the best version that you can be. If you want to win trophies, if you want to play for the best teams in the world then you need to make sure that you are constantly at it. I think that should be a given. I know sometimes if you look out in the world some players it seems like the enjoyment factor gets more focus.”
At 35, it is clear Balogun is doing everything to prolong his career in football and that his professionalism is certainly not waning.
It doesn’t take a fool, therefore, to understand why Clement has placed so much trust in Balogun since the Belgian arrived at Rangers.
Balogun has played the full 90 minutes in seven of Clement’s first 10 league games as boss, with five clean sheets recorded in the process.
Despite his popularity, eyebrows may have been raised when Michael Beale decided tor re-sign Balogun in the summer. But fans have no reason to grumble – Balogun is a vital cog in the Rangers machine at the moment.
