Rangers: Four Lads gush over ‘excellent’ Leon Balogun Scottish Cup display v Hearts
Stevie Clifford, host of the Four Lads Had A Dream podcast, has gushed over Leon Balogun’s performance as Rangers beat Hearts 2-0 in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
Clifford was impressed by Balogun’s display in which he won plenty of headers and made some key blocks to sure up what has been a leaky Rangers defence of late.
He also explained that a switch of tactic to play fewer long passes out from the back may have suited the Nigerian, hinting he could be more of a mainstay in the starting XI from now on.
Speaking on The Rangers Review [22 April], Clifford gushed: “Leon was excellent. I thought he was terrific. He won a lot of good headers, made a couple of good blocks and generally just pretty secure.
“Defensively I thought we were a bit better yesterday. The biggest takeaway for me from centre-back was there were fewer long balls attempted and I thought Leon was much better.
“It’s worth remembering that he only came out of the team because he had that facial injury so it’s not like the manager doesn’t trust him, it could be an interesting one.”
Philippe Clement handed centre-back decision to make at Rangers
With Connor Goldson left out of the side to face Hearts, Clement handed opportunities for the other defenders at the club to step up in place of a player who has been a mainstay in the team over the last few seasons.
Goldson has come in for plenty of stick after his recent performances and that could continue after his admission from the side allowed Balogun and John Souttar to step up and turn in impressive displays in his absence.
Clement explained that he was only rested rather than dropped, but given his recent displays, both Balogun and Souttar turned in performances that could see Goldson struggle to get back into the side at Ibrox.
With crucial fixtures upcoming in the ongoing race to win the SPFL title, the boss will be left with a big decision to make with regard to his strongest team and whether Goldson or Balogun features to give them the best chances of winning.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist has come to the defence of Scottish referees.
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