Rangers rebuild has already begun with Philippe Clement deciding who he wants to stick around for next season.
Six senior players were out of contract at the end of the campaign and it is a lot of experience that has emptied their lockers at Auchenhowie.
At one point, it looked like none of the players would be offered new terms, however, Rangers have announced that Leon Balogun is going to be part of Philippe Clement’s revolution next season.
Leon Balogun rewarded with new Rangers contract
The big Nigerian is a popular figure amongst the support and in defeat the 35-year old was still declaring his love for the club after disappointment at Hampden:
”We’ll see (what the future holds).
“First I have to deal with this defeat now, try to switch off a bit and see what the next weeks bring.
“I stood here two years ago and pretty much opened up about how much I love the club, that hasn’t changed.
“So definitely there’s an openness but again for me I have to digest today and then we’ll see.”
As it was last summer, negotations with Balogun appear to be a straightforward conversation along the lines of giving him a contract and the veteran defender simply signing it with no questions asked.
He is one of a few players who, despite never having an allegiance with the club, knows that the only direction after leaving Rangers is down the way.
The big defender’s only regret is that he didn’t move to Ibrox sooner:
“I am very, very happy and privileged to be able to extend my contract at a club like Rangers. I have said in the past I wish I could’ve been here sooner in my career because it fuels the fire to succeed all the time.”
Balogun will provide a safe pair of hands as a backup
It was Michael Beale who brought him back to Ibrox only to leave him in the stands or on the bench, but Balogun’s form under Philippe Clement makes this decision a no-brainer.
The 6ft 3inch tall stopper is someone who the manager can trust.
Unfortunately, it is a sentiment that can’t be shared with too many of his colleagues at the present moment in time.
Balogun will be 36 in the summer, however, he won’t be on big wages and he is the sort of character that only benefits a dressing room.
Despite not playing for weeks, he was still a calming and assured presence at the heart of defence under the most intense of pressure alongside a partner who he had rarely, if ever, played alongside.
Not every signing is going to be one that ticks a box towards a player trading model.
There needs to be some stability.
However, with Balogun staying and Thomas Galdames maybe on his way, it doesn’t look good for Ben Davies, Connor Goldson and John Souttar.
