Spotted: Rangers player jets to Holland after being left out of initial squad v Willem II
Leon Balogun has made the journey to the Netherlands despite originally being left out of the Rangers squad to play against Willem II in the Europa League.
Images on the official Rangers Twitter account show Balogun, 32, wearing a mask giving the thumbs up to the photographer as he prepared to board a flight to Holland.
According to the Daily Record, Balogun was not in Steven Gerrard’s initial squad to play against Willem II.
The former Brighton centre-back has been out of action for over a month due to injury but returned to the bench on Sunday as the Gers drew 2-2 against Hibernian at Easter Road.
He was not used by Gerrard in Edinburgh but it seems that the Nigeria international could get the nod to play in the Europa League against Willem II on Thursday night.
Rangers conceded for the first time this season on Sunday when Drey Wright and Christian Doidge netted in each half of their four-goal draw in the capital.
Gerrard might have plans to mix up his defence after a shaky rearguard display and Balogun’s return to fitness might see him feature.
However, that would be a bit of a knee-jerk reaction from Gerrard based on the fact his side had not conceded eight matches this season before the weekend but the fact it’s a Europa League game might mean he’s more willing to rotate the side.
Connor Goldson and Filip Helander were not in the fans’ goodbooks at the weekend and a strong performance by Balogun – if he plays versus Willem II – might give Gerrard some food for thought ahead of the trip to Motherwell on Sunday.
In other Rangers news, this BBC pundit has reacted to Rangers’ statement on Gerrard being cited by the SFA.