Derek Ferguson drops contract verdict on 'excellent' Leon Balogun, Philippe Clement likes him

Leon Balogun is set to leave Rangers this summer despite the fact Philippe Clement clearly likes him, according to Derek Ferguson.

Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie said (22 February) that he would be surprised if the veteran centre-back was to get a new deal at Ibrox with his current contract expiring at the end of June.

The 35-year-old has made 11 Scottish Premiership appearances this season since rejoining from QPR in the summer but Connor Goldson and John Souttar have been Clement's preferred pairing this term.

Ex-Rangers man Ferguson - speaking exclusively to Ibrox News - labelled Balogun as "excellent" and "fantastic" but concedes that Clement might shift him on to make space for new arrivals in the summer.

"He's been excellent for us, the manager seems to like him as well. Again as well as he's done, I think he's getting on," he said.

"With the manager, he's trying to bring in his own men, it probably frees up another wage. If he does go he goes with our blessing because I think he's been fantastic.

"That's not just out on the park it's behind the scenes in the dressing room, which is important, in my opinion. I don't see him getting another contract, that comes down to maybe his age."

Will Leon Balogun get a new Rangers contract at Ibrox?

Balogun is a popular figure both in the stands at Ibrox and with his teammates in the dressing room and those figures can be very important in a squad.

Sadly, though, the truth is he's not getting any younger and Clement will want to keep building his own squad at Ibrox.

It means that, at 35 and out of contract, Balogun is someone who it makes sense to move on this summer, even if he is a popular character.

It all points to the conclusion that Rangers probably will not be offering Balogun a new contract in the summer.

In other Rangers news, one pundit was left drooling over the performance of John Souttar v Hearts.

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