Outspoken Nigerian defender Leon Balogun is enjoying his second missionary journey to the Scottish football giants Rangers. The tall defender returned to Rangers this year July, a year after departing from the club as a free agent. His return was celebrated by the club and its fans as well as Balogun himself.
At first, he described it as ‘come home’ but after four months of gradual integration into the heart of the team, Balogun is thanking his star for going back to Ibrox.
The 35-year old he’s especially happy with the challenges and that he’s back putting in times on the pitch.
He said while speaking with Rangers TV.
“It’s really nice to be back [in the team]. I had some challenging weeks, so for me, I just want to make sure I enjoy every minute I am on the pitch.
“I just want to represent the club and it is nice that the wins are coming; we are putting in strong performances and hopefully I will stay in the mix now.”
He added that the new manager Philippe Clement who joined them in October has impacted positively in the team, while reflecting on his recent game time after starting the last three domestic fixtures.
He added: “I think his ways, he is very straightforward when you speak to him, he has this manner about him where you know he is just very clear.
“He just wants to make sure that we get every single detail. Obviously one thing that always happens if a new manager comes in the door is that everybody is trying to present themselves from the best side.
“That will factor in, but mainly it is down to the way he works which is really focused on details. He is just really into the details and that helps. The door is always open but again he is very clear as well and demanding.
“I was needed, I also needed games. I am happy that I could take my chance there. For me it just helps that he is very clear.
“I am one of the older guys so obviously I have a bit of experience as well. For me it was just taking the messages on board just like any other player and then producing.”
Balogun has since assumed his leadership position on returning saying it feels as if he never left.
Speaking to the media in the press conference ahead of the all-important game against rivals Aberdeen last Sunday, Balogun said they were looking forward to continue their fine run of form.
A win in the game would have taken them closer to the league zenith with leaders Celtic, who dropped points against Motherwell last Saturday.
The defender wanted the team to continue where they left off with a positive feeling amongst the team at present.
Rangers , however could only salvaged a point with James Tavernier’s stoppage-time penalty to rescue a late draw at Aberdeen.
He commented: “We are privileged to be in the club where we have so many games coming thick and fast. Obviously it is challenging as well, we are going to need the full squad.
“You see everybody is buying into it. It feels good on the pitch right now, the confidence in each other in the group as a whole and what the manager is doing I think it’s pretty high.
“I think it was vital that we had more training time the international break based on the fact that the manager has been here for some weeks now. He wants to get more of his ideas and his philosophy, get it to us clearer and I think it has worked really well so far which has been displayed in the performances as well.
“The break was nice. We had quite a decent squad size still here and we worked on some things physical and tactical obviously. I think everybody is looking forward to getting going again.”
“I think every team is always trying hard against us. That is with all due respect, nothing new really. We all know that there is especially from Aberdeen’s side there is great value to that game, because of the rivalry.
“You always know that up there is not going to be pretty, they are going to make it hard for you. I remember the first time I played there actually; I ended up being slammed against a goalpost. It was my first game in Scotland, so that was a proper welcome.
“It is always games where everybody is fighting with their hardest bandage. For us, it is about focusing on our game and how we first of all try to deal with that, accept it and then still try to play our football.”
POSITIVE MOMENTUM
The game against Aberdeen was a dress rehearsal to this month’s Viaplay Cup final, and Balogun believes that should Rangers will do well to continue in their positive momentum after booking their place in the Viaplay Cup final.
He said he’s looking forward to the Cup final clash against Aberdeen after helping his club secure the final ticket after beating Hearts at Hampden.
The Nigerian made his second successive start in the backline in the game as a brace from James Tavernier bookended another Scott Wright strike at Hampden to send the Light Blues into next month’s final where Aberdeen lie in wait.
Speaking to RangersTV after the triumph, the Nigerian reflected on another positive triumph: “Keeping up momentum is vital.
“We are chasing and the manager has said he wants us to win everything there is to win and to do that we need to create even more momentum and keep building.
“I am sure he has more things for us to take on board in terms of how he wants us to play.
“If I am picking him up right, he is quite happy with what we have been doing so far. But, then again, there is no time or room for complacency.
The critical period in the contest for Philippe Clement’s men arrived shortly after the interval as three goals inside a 20-minute spell blew Hearts away.
Balogun says the manager’s half-time intervention was key as he praised the performance levels of the team since the Belgian’s arrival.
He continued: “It was great, we scored great goals and it was a strong team performance.
“On the back of the last week where we played against Hearts, when we had to chase, but today we were dominant throughout the game. You can see that with the score.
“We kept repeating what we wanted to do in the game and it paid off really well for us.
“Everyone was really strong from start to finish, we pulled through and it is always nice to be at Hampden as you are close to a trophy or playing for something. We are now one step away.”
“The gaffer is strong and he is clear in what he wants and demands. He brings across his messages really well and you can see that in our performances.
‘If I interpret it right then we are probably in certain moments, ahead of schedule, in terms of what he was expecting in how fast we are taking on board what he wants to implement.
“Everyone is really happy and the game was very enjoyable with what was at stake.”
As Rangers gear up for the Viaplay Cup final, billed for December 17, 2023 at Hampden Park, Balogun said he’s looking forward to lifting another trophy with Rangers. He has won the Scottish Cup and Scottish League with Rangers in 2022 and 2021 respectively.
