Alex McLeish launches passionate defence of Leon Balogun in Rangers ‘crisis’ – Exclusive
We’re delighted to welcome former Rangers manager Alex McLeish as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Alex McLeish has launched a passionate defence of Rangers defender Leon Balogun after his difficult afternoon against Celtic on Sunday.
The Nigerian international started at right-back with James Tavernier sat in the stands injured, and Nathan Patterson not enough to start at Parkhead.
McLeish has claimed that despite Balogun being badly exposed, he has impressed for the majority of his time out-of-position.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, McLeish said, “It was probably a novelty for him to play at right-back, but he did it with great aplomb.
“He got exposed a little bit, with his favourite position being at centre-back. For the goal, he didn’t stop the cross, but at the same time, Helander didn’t stop the ball from going into the net.
“You’re always trying to have one defender more than the opposition forwards. The movement was excellent so let’s not chastise the defenders.
“I think it’s been made out to be a crisis, the more people talk about it, the more Balogun is going to lose his confidence, he’s capable of doing the job there.”
It certainly wasn’t the best of afternoons for Balogun at Parkhead.
After an hour of torment, he was replaced by Patterson who once again impressed despite his calf problem beforehand.
We do have to take into account that Balogun is a centre-halve, and McLeish is spot on, he did assist the equaliser afterall for Alfredo Morelos.
The international should offer Tavernier the chance to recover from his injury, and that should see Balogun return to his usual position in the Scottish Cup clash with Cove Rangers.
In other Rangers news, Nathan Patterson could be ruled out for the rest of the season