Exclusive: Derek Ferguson Believes Leon Balogun’s Time at Rangers is Coming to an End
Leon Balogun has forced his way back into the Rangers fold under interim boss Barry Ferguson, but his time at Ibrox appears to be drawing to a close. The 36-year-old defender has played in five out of six matches under Ferguson, starting the past three, but his performance in the 4-3 win over Dundee at the weekend was particularly poor, leading to him being substituted at half-time.
Balogun’s current contract is due to expire in July, and Derek Ferguson, the brother of Barry Ferguson, believes that it is time for the defender to start looking for a new club. Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Ferguson stated that Balogun’s age and injury-prone nature make him a liability for the team.
“I think he’ll be off,” Ferguson said. “He’s done terrifically well since coming back in, but he’s 36 and injury-prone. He’s a good player, but is he someone Rangers should be looking to tie down? No. He’s done well across two spells, but no, it’s time for Leon to look elsewhere.”
Ferguson’s comments suggest that Rangers will need to find a younger and more reliable centre-back option to replace Balogun. The team’s injury woes have been well-documented this season, and Balogun’s fragility has been a concern. Finding a suitable replacement will not be easy, but it is essential for the team’s success going forward.
Rangers chiefs will likely be scouring the transfer market to find a centre-back who can slot in alongside one of the current options or another new signing. With Balogun’s contract expiring in July, the team has a few months to find a suitable replacement.
The summer transfer window is expected to be a busy one for Rangers, with several players due to either be out of contract or return to their parent clubs. Balogun is one of a handful of players who will be leaving the team, and finding suitable replacements will be a top priority for the club.
In the meantime, Balogun will likely continue to play a role for Rangers, but his long-term future at the club appears to be uncertain. As the team looks to the future, it is clear that changes will be made to strengthen the squad and improve results.
The exclusive comments from Derek Ferguson provide insight into the thinking of the Rangers hierarchy and suggest that the team is already planning for life without Balogun. As the summer transfer window approaches, Rangers fans will be eagerly watching to see who the team will bring in to replace the departing players.
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