AdminRangers manager Philippe Clement may have been overly optimistic when he claimed that he could eradicate the injury curse that has plagued the team in recent years. While he has made efforts to trim the squad and reduce the number of injury-prone players, there is still much work to be done to achieve optimal player availability. One player who may not feature prominently for the rest of the season is veteran defender Leon Balogun, who was absent for the second half of the team’s recent match at Old Trafford.
At 36 years old, Balogun has already played 19 games this season, which is a significant workload for a player who should ideally be used as a last resort. The fact that he was previously keeping Robin Propper out of the starting lineup highlights the shortcomings of Rangers’ summer recruitment in the center of defense. It also speaks to Balogun’s own limitations as a player and what he brings to the team.
With the Scottish Premiership title all but mathematically out of reach, Clement should now focus on the future and give younger defenders an opportunity to gain experience. The likes of Propper and John Souttar, when he returns from injury, can rotate alongside the team’s younger defenders for the remainder of the season. Unless there is a severe shortage of options, there is no need for Balogun to play again, except perhaps for a sentimental farewell appearance.
Clement has spoken about the team’s injury struggles, expressing pride in his players’ performance despite being depleted by injuries. He noted that the team was missing eight potential starters, which is a significant challenge to overcome. However, with the season effectively over, it’s time for Clement to look to the future and prioritize the development of his younger players.
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