'It's the fourth time in my career' - Rangers centre-back Balogun reveals latest cheekbone fracture

Super Eagles and Rangers centre-back Leon Balogun has confirmed he fractured his cheekbone during Rangers' 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night.

Balogun was forced off in the 50th minute following a head-on collision with John Souttar, with Hamza Igamane coming on as his replacement.

Speaking to The BBC, the Nigerian international revealed it's the fourth time in his career he has suffered a similar facial injury.

"I've fractured my cheekbone again, so it's the fourth time I think in my career," Balogun said.

"I knew it straight away and I knew that I had to come off with it.

"I asked the doc if there's any chance for me to stay on, but then the pain normally kicks in five, 10 minutes after and then it's not really nice."

While the 36-year-old didn't specify the full extent of the injury, he confirmed that surgery would likely be required.

"We'll see how severe, but probably we'll need a little small surgery or something and then a few days rest and then I can go back on with the mask," he added.

Balogun also expressed disappointment with both the result and the performance of his team, admitting Rangers failed to rise to the occasion.

"I think you have to be honest and I don't think we showed enough quality today in order to severely threaten them," the defender said.

"We all came here with a lot more expectation probably to ourselves and we did not really live up to it.

"I know this is not what the supporters and the people back home want to hear, but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and I think Bilbao showed that they're the better team. Were we hoping for probably a lucky punch."

Balogun's absence will be a significant blow for Rangers boss Barry Ferguson as the Scottish side looks to finish the season on a strong note.

Adeyemi Adewale

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