Leon Balogun, the Nigerian defender currently playing for Rangers, hopes to extend his stay with the Glasgow-based club beyond next summer.
After rejoining Rangers from Queens Park Rangers last summer, Balogun has faced a mixed season with limited appearances under Philippe Clement, the club’s new manager.
Despite this, his recent performance against Hearts in the Scottish Cup, where he played a full 90 minutes, has given him hope of igniting contract renewal talks.
Balogun’s career at Rangers has had its ups and downs. He enjoyed a productive first stint at the club, playing 65 games for the 55-time Scottish Champions. However, his contract renewal fell through after then-coach Giovanni Van Bronckhorst expressed concerns about his abilities and injury history. The breakdown of these talks contributed to Van Bronckhorst’s eventual departure from Rangers.
Since returning to Rangers, Balogun found more playing time under Michael Beale, but when Beale was replaced by Philippe Clement in October, Balogun’s appearances significantly decreased. His recall to the starting lineup against Hearts marked a crucial opportunity for him to prove his worth to the new management.
Balogun is optimistic about his future with Rangers but acknowledges that the decision to renew his contract remains uncertain. He is hopeful that his recent performance will lead to positive discussions about his future with the club. Nonetheless, given his age and reduced mobility, the likelihood of Rangers offering him a new deal remains low. Additionally, the emergence of Connor Goldson, who has been in outstanding form, could further reduce Balogun’s chances of a contract extension.
Rangers are also competing for a Scottish domestic double, but they face stiff competition from Celtic, who lead by three points in the league and are set to meet Rangers in the final of the Scottish Cup.
Balogun’s future and the team’s success in these upcoming matches will be critical factors in determining his fate with the club. Despite the uncertainties, Balogun’s recent strong performance and positive attitude may help him make a case for extending his stay at Ibrox.
