Balogun: I’m ready to fill the void for our skipper
LEON BALOGUN would be happy if he only briefly deputises for James Tavernier in the right-back role that has suddenly given Rangers such cause for concern.
Like all at Ibrox, he hopes for a positive update on Tavernier’s knee injury. He would much prefer to see the captain able to lead in his usual all-action style when Steven Gerrard’s side seek to close out pursuit of the Premiership title.
But a scan will determine whether that can happen. And Balogun is equally clear about his continued willingness to answer the call as cover should bad news emerge.
Helping Rangers to success is all that matters. If that means shifting to a position he has filled only fleetingly in recent years, the centre-back has no issue in doing so. Gerrard can count him in.
Of course, when Tavernier was forced off midway through the first half of Thursday night’s frenetic 4-3 victory over Royal Antwerp — having finally admitted defeat after a second attempt to play on — it should have been Nathan Patterson’s big chance.
Instead, the highly rated 19-year-old was sitting at home. One of five Rangers players fined and told to isolate after breaching Covid regulations, and the full impact of his folly was clear.
Patterson’s absence meant Gerrard had to summon Balogun from the bench. Asked to reprise an old job from his Bundesliga days, the 32-year-old performed creditably as Rangers shifted to the brink of the Europa League last 16 on a night of seemingly endless incident.
‘James is a big component of our game, a big character,’ said Balogun. ‘We need him.
‘Obviously, we have some goals in the season, one big goal in particular. We need to do what is necessary. If that means I have to play out of position, I’m ready to go. It is all for the Rangers, so I am happy to do it.
‘We hope it won’t happen but, if it’s going to be longer, James will still be around the team.
‘He is very vocal in the dressing room, a very positive, cheerful character. Even after the game, he was quite relaxed.
‘He knows his body best and how to deal with it. He was happy first and foremost that we got a good result. He didn’t seem too concerned, actually. The coming days will determine if that changes or not.’
Gerrard hopes Tavernier’s absence could be measured in the short-term. If not, he will consider moving into the market for a free-agent replacement.
As it stands, Balogun is in line to continue at right-back against Dundee United tomorrow.
‘It’s tough, especially if you haven’t played there for some time,’ said the defender.
‘The running is so much different from centre-half, especially the way the full-backs play in our system.
‘I did play in that position before, so that obviously helped, but still you need time to settle.
‘You could see that in the first half. But, overall, I am quite happy with how I played. There was a big energy shift in the second half and we came closer to what we should look like, so that helped me as well.’
Balogun knows he can’t operate in the same dynamic way as Tavernier — who he branded ‘a beast’ in the role — but the Berlin-born player can call upon memories of his emerging years in German football.
‘I played lower-league football the season before I first got into the Bundesliga, always as a centre-half,’ he reflected.
‘But my breakthrough in the Bundesliga with Dusseldorf (in 2012) was as a right-back. I played a full season there.
‘I also played right-back for Darmstadt. Then when I moved to Mainz, they brought me in as a right-back, knowing I could play centre-half as well. I ended up playing centre-half there most of the time.
‘So I do have experience and that helped me immensely to adapt quickly to that kind of frenetic game on Thursday.’
Clearly, though, it is as a centre-back that Balogun has made a real impact this season.
Gerrard recently confirmed he expects a contract extension clause to be triggered, ensuring the Nigeria international will remain in Glasgow for another 12 months.
Asked about his situation, Balogun said: ‘Obviously I am playing for an amazing club. This season so far has been going really well for me.
‘I just hope it keeps going and we can, at one point, announce that we pulled the trigger. It is under some confidentiality but it’s getting closer. I am confident my time with Rangers is not over after this season.’
His happiness is centred on the spirit within the Rangers squad. While Gerrard has been let down by the ‘Covidiocy’ of the Infamous Five, his remaining players dug deep to deliver a late comeback in Antwerp.
‘In terms of the group, it’s a great team spirit, probably the best dressing room I have ever been in,’ added Balogun. ‘That’s what enables us to turn games like we did in Antwerp.’