'Run beside him' - Former Rangers striker reacts to Balogun red card against Celtic

Former Rangers striker Billy Dodds has reacted to the sending off of Nigerian international Leon Balogun during Rangers' 2-1 loss to Celtic in an Old Firm clash at Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon. 

With nineteen minutes left on the clock, things turned from bad to worse for the visitors as Balogun was shown a straight red card for a professional foul. 

The central defender gave the ball away with a bad touch before taking out Daizen Maeda as he was clean on goal, leading to his third red card in Rangers' colours across two spells. 

Reacting to Balogun's red card, Billy Dodds said on  BBC Sportsound: Just try and apply pressure and run beside him. As soon as you touch him, you're gone."

Paulo Bernardo stepped forward to score a wonder goal to give Celtic the lead in the 25th minute after Rangers failed to defend a corner properly.

Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers had a huge opportunity to equalize for the Light Blues but squandered his chance, taking an eternity as he bore down on goal and failed to get his shot away in the 33rd minute. 

Celtic extended their lead through Kyogo Furuhashi with a stunning finish two minutes into the second half but James Tavernier pulled one back with a fantastic free-kick into the top corner in the 88th minute to set up a thrilling finale. 

Balogun and Dessers have been omitted from Nigeria's 25-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations but the latter was named in the provisional squad. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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