Blocked neck: Rangers centre-back Balogun injured again ahead of Glasgow derby at Celtic Park

Rangers are sweating on the fitness of Leon Balogun ahead of the Glasgow derby against Celtic at Celtic Park on Sunday, September 1.

In their most complete performance of the season so far, the Light Blues thrashed Ross County 6-0, with two Nigeria internationals named in their starting lineup.

While the red-hot striker Cyriel Dessers was in action for 66 minutes, Leon Balogun played the entirety of the first half.

The central defender returned to action against Ross County after sitting out Rangers' previous two games against St. Johnstone and Dynamo Kyiv due to an injury picked up during the 2-1 victory over Motherwell on August 10.

But he lasted 45 minutes on his comeback due to injury, after landing awkwardly following a header from a corner. 

Balogun played through the pain barrier in the closing minutes of the first half but Rangers boss Philippe Clement substituted him at the break to avoid aggravating his injury.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Clement confirmed that the experienced defender suffered a blocked neck and will be receiving treatment this week.

Clemt told reporters: "Leon, he fell in the wrong way or got a knock, so his neck was blocked. That's why he could not continue. So there was no concussion or anything.

"So I expect the medical team that they can deblock it during this week. So that it will not be a bad thing."

Balogun is out of favour with Nigeria these days as he has not been called up to the Super Eagles since their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone and São Tomé and Príncipe in June 2022.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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