The departure of Leon Balogun from the Rangers in 2022 was accompanied by a noticeable sense of sadness.

The 46-time Nigerian cap player was a journeyman defender who had finally settled in Glasgow. During his first two years there, he was a reliable, if somewhat limited, defensive option.
The defender’s presence in an Ibrox Champions League qualifying crowd among supporters was a clear indication of his desire to remain close to Rangers.

Leon Balogun’s experience has always been helpful to the team, at the very least, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst seems to have erred in his decision to let the former Brighton centre back go.

The Dutchman’s serious defensive injury problems definitely hurt him in the Champions League.

However, upon returning in the summer of 2023 under Michael Beale, there was a feeling that Leon Balogun’s backup option could help a defence that was shattered and ravaged by injuries regain some stability.

The 36-year-old centre back most likely didn’t anticipate playing a key part in the team’s championship run-in.

However, if Leon makes an impression on the team in the remaining five games of the season, it seems like a new deal may be imminent.

Clement: Talks about a new contract with Balogun

The six Rangers players who have their contracts expiring soon must wait until the end of the season before a decision is made, according to Philippe Clement.

Leon Balogun is arguably one of the club’s lowest paid players who is not under contract.

The salaries of Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe, John Lundstram, and Ryan Jack are heavier because three of them—if not all four—will almost certainly be leaving this summer.
Jon McLaughlin, the last player without a contract, has been embezzling money for more than a year.

However, Philippe Clement’s most recent remarks, made near the end of the season, imply that Rangers might consider signing Leon Balogun for a 37th season at Ibrox.

Furthermore, we are unsure of the benefits or drawbacks of this.

According to Clement, who was cited by the Daily Record, “Leon is somebody who showed every day the right mentality, the right passion for the club.” “So, at the conclusion of the season, that might be a possibility.

However, we can make a really good assessment of everything and everyone at the end of the season. That makes it going to be a really interesting time for us to decide what to do for the upcoming season as well.

“To watch how everyone works, plays, behaves, trains, and demonstrates resilience over the next few weeks. We need the right players in the building if we want to succeed with this club.”

Sentiment has no place in the shaky Rangers defence.

Leading Rangers insiders Heart & Hand stated a few weeks ago that only one of the sextuplet’s players would receive a new contract offer before the start of the following season.

If Leon Balogun had been involved, there would not have been much betting.

However, with Kemar Roofe and Ryan Jack about as reliable in terms of fitness as a prime Andy Webster and Trabzonspor showing interest in both Borna Barisic and John Lundstram, it appears increasingly likely that the German-born Nigerian international will receive a new contract.

Rangers have shown themselves to be a strong defensive team at times this season, but as the pressure has increased, they have become less focused, which has allowed us to lose the title advantage.

Although the Ibrox vice captain was benched for Balogun in the weeks prior, Connor Goldson is now out for the season.

John Souttar, who has a bombscare moment by the game, is currently the club’s most reliable center-half.

It is almost insulting to supporters to think that Ben Davies, who hasn’t played since December, could suddenly come in from the cold.

It implies that there will undoubtedly be some backline turmoil this summer, and it might be a good idea to stick with Leon Balogun.

However, there was a reason Giovanni van Bronckhorst let the defender go two years ago, and sentimentality is out of the question as the team faces yet another domestic setback.

It’s vital to Philippe Clement’s employment.