Rangers coach provides update on the whereabouts of Balogun ahead of Old Firm clash v Celtic 

Speaking at Friday's pre-match press conference before his side's Old Firm clash versus Celtic, Rangers manager Philippe Clement has addressed the recent absence of veteran Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun from the starting lineup. 

Balogun's lack of playing time sparked inquiries, particularly from a German journalist representing national broadcaster ARD.

Clement expressed his satisfaction with Balogun's performance, attributing his limited playing time to squad rotation challenges. 

The manager prioritized rotating offensive players who lacked the stamina for a full 90 minutes. 

Substituting defenders who could only play a partial match would have necessitated further substitutions later in the game, a risk Clement was unwilling to take due to limitations on the number of substitutes allowed.

In quotes relayed by Rangers News, Clement explained: "About Leon, I am very happy about him. I didn’t have the chance the last couple of weeks to put him more on the field because I had so much rotation to do with offensive players that were not ready for 90 minutes that I could not take centre-backs in who could maybe play 70 or 80 minutes and then I had to change.

"I could not take a risk with that, so he was unlucky in that way, but he’s been really good in the training.

"He’s been inspiring also for the young players in the building, who are in the squad, who come to train with us, that he’s helping in a really good way.

"So he’s been a really good asset for the club and I’m really happy with him."

The 46-cap Super Eagles defender's last league appearance for Rangers was in early February, where he was on the pitch for just twenty-two minutes in a 3-0 home win against Livingstone.

Ejim Kaycee

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com