Rangers head coach, Philippe Clement has confirmed Nigerian defender, Leon Aderemi Balogun, is a doubt for their ViaPlay Cup clash against St. Johnstone later this evening, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 36-year-old centre-back felt some discomfort in Rangers’ 2-1 win over Motherwell after coming on for Robin Propper in the 73rd minute but managed to play till the final whistle.
As a result, he missed the Gers UEFA Champions League qualifier against Dynamo Kyiv at Hampden Park, Ibrox, with another defender, Rıdvan Yılmaz, picking up an injury in that game as the hopes of a place in the biggest European club competition were dashed for the Scottish Record Champions.
The injury list after 4 games played in season 24/25
Oscar Cortes (long term)
Ridvan Yilmaz(long term)
Leon Balogun(short term)
Scott Wright(short term)
Dujon Sterling (short term)
Nico Raskin (long term)The club can’t catch a break https://t.co/ptBuT7rixS pic.twitter.com/jFKH3caOrZ
— Rangers News Feed (@RangersNewsFeed) August 16, 2024
Speaking at his pre-match press conference yesterday, Rangers manager, Philippe Clement, provided a fitness update on his team ahead of their League Cup game against St. Johnstone.
“Ridvan will be out. I don’t like to say too much in detail but it will be around four and six weeks, something like that. Scott Wright also has a smaller problem, and probably will not be available and Leon Balogun is still a doubt, and the rest will be fit,” the Belgian said as revealed on the club’s official website.
Balogun struggled to get minutes last season but experienced a sort of resurgence towards the end of the campaign that saw him rewarded with a contract. The former Mainz 05 defender is one of the senior players in the Rangers team and will oversee the team in terms of experience.
