Leon King’s brutal luck could see the return to Ibrox of a former fans’ favourite with Leon Balogun being considered as a short term option by Rangers.
The 35-year old centre-half is a free agent after leaving QPR and is under consideration to provide much needed cover in defence.
According to The Sun, Michael Beale has already talked to Leon Balogun about coming back to Rangers despite King only being injured in the last 24 hours, a medical already said to have been completed.
The first question is, do Rangers need to sign Leon Balogun?
The reality is, King is fourth choice behind Connor Goldson, Ben Davies and John Souttar with Dujon Sterling also able to step into the middle.
Michael Beale has also openly admitted to wanting to sign another centre-half to challenge for a starting place and has been linked with Jonathan Panzo and Auston Trusty.
Short answer? No.
Why Leon Balogun shouldn’t make Rangers return
This is exactly the situation that the academy should be used for.
If Goldson or Davies left or suffered a serious injury in pre-season I’d expect Rangers to make signing a replacement an immediate priority.
Leon Balogun, in an ideal world, wouldn’t have to play again for Rangers, even if he was signed.
With 46-caps for Nigeria, he is hugely experienced but we have enough leaders in the dressing room already.
Then there is Lewis Mayo.
The 23-year old has done well in each of his loan spells and proved that he can handle the Scottish Premiership last season at Kilmarnock.
As someone who can play at right-back or defensive midfielder, Mayo is as comfortable on the ball as he needs to be.
Will he ever be a regular starter? No.
But as a back up he would be more than adequate which is what the fourth choice needs to be.
Mayo could also be relied upon to be fit.
In Leon Balogun’s last season at Rangers and with QPR last year – when Michael Beale signed him – his availability has gradually deteriorated.
What is the point in being a stand by if you aren’t ready when called upon?
Nostalgia is one thing, but it will be nearly three years since we saw the best of Leon Balogun for Rangers.
It is an understandable move but I’d have hoped that our recruitment was better than calling back a player who was released for a reason.
