Philippe Clement made a brave decision for Rangers Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts, but it was one that paid off.
The defence has looked shaky since the international break and it was Connor Goldson that took the hit, being dropped for the big occasion.
It was a call that the manager was vindicated in making though with Leon Balogun in imperious form for Rangers as he kept Lawrence Shankland quiet and Hearts at bay.
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Leon Balogun imperious as Rangers reach Scottish Cup final
The big Nigerian was preferred by Clement when he first came to the club until injury saw John Souttar make the position alongside Goldson his own.
Even with the vice-captain struggling, there wouldn’t have been many fans expecting to see him missing from the starting XI.
What the Gers gaffer has done is show that sub-par performances won’t be tolerated and that nobody is immune to being axed.
Balogun was given the Rangers TV man of the match award by Kevin Thomson and his 9/10 Rangers News player rating was richly deserved for a performance that showed exactly what has been missing in recent weeks.
Jonny McFarlane, who is head of sport at Newsquest, reckons that Balogun’s display could see him become a key figure in the run in.
Should Balogun keep his place for Rangers?
Leon Balogun was a strange signing by Michael Beale in the summer as Rangers looked to replace the departing Filip Helander.
Already in his mid-thirties and with Goldson, John Souttar and Ben Davies at the club, the veteran’s arrival seemed to do little other than block Leon King’s development.
What made it even strangers was when Beale chose not to use him.
Clement had other ideas though and has turned out to be a worthwhile decision with the 6ft 3inch tall defender rarely putting a foot wrong in a Rangers shirt this season.
Rangers performance against Hearts was our best for some time and that stemmed from a defence that protected Jack Butland for long parts of the game.
Even the chances Hearts did get were usually caused by our own slack passing rather than being anything structural.
At this stage of the season there is no need for rotation, only players who have been out injured might need to have their time managed.
After watching Balogun’s performance against Hearts and how well he dovetailed with Souttar, McFarlane could be right.
