Alejandro Garnacho 17 of Manchester United runs with the ball chased by Leon Balogun 27 of Rangers during the Europa League match between Manchester United and Rangers at Old Trafford, Manchester, England on 23 January 2025. Manchester Old Trafford Greater Manchester England. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
Record SPFL Champions, Rangers, are in hot water after Super Eagles defender, Leon Balogun, suffered an injury in their UEFA Europa League clash against Manchester United, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 36-year-old defender has played more games this season than the entirety of the appearances he managed last campaign, but it is beginning to tell on the body of the former Mainz 05 man.
Balogun started alongside Robin Propped at the hearts of the Rangers defence, with the pair combining for an average age of 33. However, the Nigerian didn’t start the second half due to an injury, forcing James Tavernier into the centre of the defence.
Speaking after his side’s loss at Old Trafford, Rangers boss, Philippe Clement, threw his arms in the air and lamented his inability to control situations like this.
“Yeah, but what can I do if players get tackled and they get injuries? So yeah, you cannot do much about it, it’s about working hard with the medical staff to get them back and to see the next days, to make a good assessment towards the weekend or the weeks after.
“Those are things I don’t have any control over, so we need to work really hard with the medical department to get the players back and I need to be focused on the players who are here and also integrate new players or integrate players in different positions and to prepare them well, that they know what to do in those positions,” the former Club Brugge manager said in quotes revealed by Rangers News.
Leon Balogun has scored one goal and assisted another in all competitions for the Gers, but his persistent problems could become a stumbling block in his pursuit of a new contract at Ibrox. His current deal runs out in June 2025.
Balogun joins John Souttar, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, and Mohammed Baba Diomandé on Rangers injury list.
This post was last modified on January 24, 2025 1:35 pm
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