Leon Balogun came in from the cold – quite literally – to shine for Rangers in the Hampden sun against Hearts.
The veteran Nigerian defender, 36, was recalled to the Rangers lineup at the expense of vice-captain Connor Goldson for the weekend’s Scottish Cup clash.
It’s a moment which Philippe Clement tried to shrug off at full-time, claiming the Rangers stalwart was simply being rested.
We’re not sure anyone buys that one.
But Leon Balogun – who’d missed the miserable 0-0 draw at Dens Park due to the flu in the days previous – proved a perfectly able deputy in Mount Florida.
Now, the Rangers centre-back is hoping to prove his worth to the team and win a new contract in Govan.
Balogun wants Rangers contract sorted quickly
Leon Balogun is one of six Rangers stars who are out of contract in the summer.
Leading Rangers fan media Heart & Hand have previously claimed that only one of the bunch looks likely to be offered a new deal as things stand.
With Philippe Clement confirming talks are on the horizon for midfielder John Lundstram, there’s no prizes for guessing who that might be.
But despite the claims Leon Balogun remains hopeful he’ll get the nod for a new contract only he’d prefer the club don’t leave it to the last minute again.
In his second spell at Ibrox, when Leon left at the end of 2022 how the situation was handled reflected poorly on the club.
“I hope (playing against Hearts is a positive sign with regards a new contract),” said Balogun, as quoted by the National. “I really don’t know.
“I think those decisions will be made within the club within the next few weeks. I hope I get a notification a bit more timely than the last time around!
“I would like to think I can be quite positive, and touching on what you said about the manager, choosing me (against Hearts), but I can’t really tell you – I don’t know yet.”
Rangers defender hopes to play team role
Leon Balogun was also speaking about the role he could play in Rangers’ title run-in.
With six games to go, Rangers have the Scottish Premiership season to conclude and a Scottish Cup Final to come against arch-rivals Celtic.
Claiming that he is a team player who will be willing the side on no matter who is picked, the Rangers defender hopes that his showing v Hearts can help him work his way into Philippe Clement’s reckoning.
“Obviously you always want to play, but for me, at this point, if you think back to October, and then think about the situation we are in now, you would have signed for it,” said Balogun.
“Even if you look at the past week, we could have put ourselves in a better position, but for me it is about being strong as a team.
“Whether that is me, Ben Davies, Connor Goldson starting, for me at the end of the day it is about what we want to do for the club.
“We serve at the end of the day and we have a big challenge there in front of us and it takes everyone. If it is me I’ll be happy. I think I’ve proven enough during my spell here that I am a team player.”
Leon Balogun has made 81 appearances for Rangers across two spells at the club, scoring twice.
