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The centre-back has disclosed reasons for the defending champions’ Premiership hegemony but proffered solutions to his side's situation.
Leon Balogun knows what Rangers must do to end Celtic’s Scottish Premiership dominance.
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13:01 - 06.03.2024
‘It has taken a turn for the worse’ - Super Eagles star speaks out on social media's impact on players and fans
Super Eagles and Rangers central defender, Leon Aderemi Balogun, has shed light on the evolving relationship between footballers and fans in the age of social media.
The centre-back was part of the Gers group that won the league title in 2020-21 under Steven Gerrard, halting their rivals’ nine-year winning run, but the Bhoys have regained supremacy in the Scottish top division claiming back-to-back titles under Ange Postecoglou before notching a third under the returning Brendan Rodgers despite the challengers’ best efforts under Philippe Clement.
What Balogun said about Rangers’ ambition to topple Celtic
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Balogun recognises Celtic’s strength, even if he hopes his teammates end the losing run against their rivals.
"We need to have a shift in mentality and build more confidence," said the Nigeria international to Sky Sports News.
"We need to build that through pre-season, but that's a process that we need to work on every day by reputation mainly and gaining confidence in what you do.
"Under the manager we've seen what he was able to do in a very short period of time.
"Given he now has a full pre-season to work with us to implement his ideas, that's one factor. Apart from that, it's what we're about every year and the quality that's in the team. It's about ticking a few boxes and working on a few weak spots that we had last season and make sure they go away."
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Balogun then noted the need to beat their fierce rivals in 2024-25, having failed to notch a win over Rodgers’ men throughout last season.
"If you want to be the champion you need to beat that team that is your rival. That was the stumble stone last season and we need to make sure it doesn't happen this season."
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21:00 - 01.07.2023
Leon Balogun: Super Eagles star shows off girlfriend Mayara Zamboni on vacation
Super Eagles star Leon Balogun shows off girlfriend Mayara Zamboni on vacation.
What comes next?
Balogun, 36, is gearing up for a first preseason under Clement, hoping to play a part in preventing Celtic from winning four titles on the trot.
Rangers’ first Premiership match of 2024-25 comes against Hearts on August 3.
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