Leon Balogun: Nigeria defender could stage shock return to Rangers

By Olu Dare

Nigeria international Leon Balogun could make a shock return to Rangers as his manager at QPR is now set to take over the Scottish giants.

Rangers did not give Balogun a new deal in the summer and therefore the experienced defender joined QPR a free agent on a year’s contract.

QPR is headed by former Rangers assistant coach, Michael Beale, who is now in talks with the Scottish club to return as manager following the dismissal of Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Balogun was at Rangers when Beale was assistant coach and it was Beale who signed him for QPR.

Rangers’ legend, Ally McCoist said he was shocked when the club allowed Balogun to leave in the summer. He said the defender could help the team should he return.

“A lot of agreements need to fall into place, but Balogun could certainly be a handy addition for Rangers again given their current defensive injury problems,” McCoist told Evening Glasgow Times.

On his fitness level having played for Rangers at the end of last season, Balogun said: “I have managed to keep myself fit. I haven’t been able to have team training so that is what I will try to catch up with as quickly as possible. “The foundation of my fitness is there so it really shouldn’t take me long.”

Balogun made 65 appearances for Rangers and helped them capture title number 55 in the 2020-21 campaign. Last season, he netted two goals in Europe as the Gers reached the Europa League final in Seville.