Balogun tipped for Rangers return

Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun could make a return to the Scottish Premiership with Glasgow Rangers months after parting ways with the club in June.

Michael Beale, manager of Championship side Queens Park Rangers, is tipped to become the next Rangers manager after the Ibrox giants sacked Giovanni van Bronckhorst over poor results.

Beale, assistant manager to Steven Gerrard at Rangers, signed Balogun when he was released by Rangers and will want to re-sign the Nigerian defender, knowing his qualities.

Ibrox legend Ally McCoist was shocked that Rangers let Balogun go, especially with Van Bronckhorst struggling with defensive injuries, before being sacked.

The 34-year-old defender is out of contract in the summer, meaning he is free to speak to clubs about a pre-contract agreement in January.

“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 said, as reported by Evening Glasgow Times.

Balogun signed a one-year contract with QPR in August 2022 and scored his first goal for the club on October 22, which proved to be the winner, against his former club Wigan Athletic.

He has been in fine form, making 12 appearances and contributing one assist and could return to the Scottish Premiership League if Beale is confirmed as Rangers new coach.

Balogun – alongside Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey – was part of the Rangers squad that lifted the Scottish league title in 2021 and reached the final of the Europa League in May.

Rangers are nine points behind leaders Celtic in the Scottish Premiership and also endured a sobering Champions League campaign, which saw the club lose all six group-stage matches, a run which included a 7-1 hammering by Liverpool at home.