Leon Balogun shares what everyone has to adapt to under Philippe Clement at Rangers, insists he is no ‘dictator’
Leon Balogun says every Rangers player has had to adapt to Philippe Clement’s methods and added he is no “dictator” but he is constantly reminding the squad of the need to raise standards.
The Light Blues are still undefeated under Clement and have been on a roll under the Belgian, reaching the knockout stages of the Europa League, winning the Viaplay Cup, and muscling themselves back into title contention with Celtic.
Centre-back Balogun opened up a little on life under Clement in quotes reported by the Daily Record (27 December).
“I think he is very demanding in his ways and he is challenging us every day. He has got very high demands,” he said.
“That is not to say he is some sort of dictator or anything, but he is very meticulous in the way he wants to work and he reminds us in every given moment that we need to keep these standards up constantly, whether that’s in training sessions, in the game at half-time.
“Everybody is constantly on their toes. The way he wants to work is just something everyone has to adapt to and it is almost automatic, when you’re trying to meet his expectations it just goes up.”
What we like to hear
These comments by Balogun should be music to the ears of every Rangers fan across the globe.
To play for Rangers should be an honour for any player and to have a manager constantly reminding the squad of the importance of the badge and what it means to represent the club is great to hear.
Moreover, you want the team to be challenged and motivated to reach new levels, which is seemingly what Clement is instilling into the squad at Ibrox.
Results are paying dividends too and we are set for a blockbuster Old Firm clash at Celtic Park on Saturday (30 December). That will be the biggest challenge Clement and Rangers have faced yet.
But if they can come through that one unscathed then dreams of the title will only increase. These are exciting times to be a Rangers fan and it is all being led by Clement’s demands for impeccable standards.
In other Rangers news, one Ibrox-linked player is surely on the move after his “crystal ball” comments.