‘Rangers already make huge error under Americans’ after Balogun contract claim
Rangers are already sweating over their defensive situation as Leon Balogun wasn’t offered a new contract at Ibrox.
John Souttar’s availability for the Champions League qualifying rounds against Panathinaikos is in doubt after the defender underwent surgery recently.
Kevin Thelwell decided to let Balogun leave the Gers as a free agent despite his pivotal role under Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson last season.
The Nigerian centre-back’s departure was confirmed before Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises completed their takeover, and a more concerted effort should have been made to keep him.
Balogun would have accepted new Rangers contract offer
Balogun would have potentially accepted a one-year contract extension at the Gers, Keith Jackson says.
The Daily Record journalist believes that the uncertainty around the Light Blues due to the US consortium’s ongoing takeover talks at the time may have hindered their ability to plan for the 36-year-old defender’s future.
Jackson feels the Glaswegian outfit made a mistake by not keeping the centre-back and blames the lack of decision-makers at Ibrox for it.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
| 30 | 1 | 1 | 1795 |
Speaking on Hotline Live (19 June), the journalist said: “I genuinely believe if it was running more smoothly, somebody would have said, ‘Balogun, shouldn’t we offer him one more year? Atleast that covers some basis’. And you would have got him for nothing.
“Balogun and Souttar were the first two choices at centre-half. But there was nobody there to make that decision, to say to Balogun ‘Can you accept these terms? Will you take one more year?’ Balogun would have taken it by the way, without question.”
“So there was a mistake made, again, because there was no one there to make the decision.”
Balogun completes transfer to Aris Limassol after Ibrox exit
Balogun arguably deserved a contract extension at Ibrox, but he has now signed for Cypriot outfit Aris Limassol, where he could have a chance to partner Connor Goldson.
The Nigeria international was influential for the Gers as other defenders failed to live up to expectations last season.
Robin Propper now looks set to rejoin FC Twente after signing for the Light Blues from the Eredivisie outfit last summer.
Russell Martin will face Panathinaikos in his first competitive match in charge of Rangers, and it will be interesting to see who will start those fixtures.
The Ibrox faithful will want to see the ex-Southampton boss progress to the group stage of the Champions League, but he will argue that the current squad isn’t good enough.
Cavenagh and the 49ers hadn’t completed their takeover before Balogun’s departure, but they still could have undoubtedly made the call to keep him.
While there’s still a long way to go before the transfer window ends, the Glaswegian outfit start their pre-season training on Monday (23 June), and they should have ideally done some business by now.
It’s a shame to see Balogun leave, and the Ibrox faithful will wish him the best.