Leon Balogun praises Belgian midfielder in Rangers' 4-0 victory

Posted : 12 May 2025

Leon Aderemi Balogun, Nigeria's defender for Rangers, showered praise on his teammate, Belgian international Nicolas Raskin, after their dominant 4-0 win over Aberdeen. The experienced centre-back played for 80 minutes at Ibrox in the match that saw Rangers bounce back with a resounding victory. Although Balogun came close to scoring, the goals from Jefte, Cyriel Dessers, and Vaclav Cerny were enough to secure all three points for Barry Ferguson's squad.

Balogun’s performance was a reminder of his experience and quality on the field. His contract with Rangers is set to expire next month, and discussions for a potential renewal have yet to surface. Following the win, the veteran defender expressed his satisfaction in ending a seven-match winless run at home. Despite the triumph, he felt there was more to give, as emphasized by manager Barry Ferguson at halftime.

The manager encouraged the team to push themselves further in the second half, which led to a noticeable improvement in performance. Balogun reflected on the importance of the result, acknowledging that while there had been several negative moments this season, it was crucial to focus on the positives, particularly the clean sheet. The defender took pride in the defensive display and emphasized that the team had to move forward and build on this success.

Looking ahead, Balogun mentioned that Rangers’ next match at Ibrox, against Hibernian, would be the last of the season at home, and he hoped to end the campaign on a high note for the supporters, who had been incredible all season. He also highlighted the challenge of replicating the performance away at Hibs in their final away game.

As for Raskin, Balogun was particularly impressed with the Belgian midfielder's display. Raskin provided two assists in the match, showcasing his excellent form and development throughout the season. Balogun noted that this performance was the culmination of hard work after a tough recovery from injury last year. The 24-year-old's resilience was evident, and Balogun praised his ability to bounce back and consistently deliver strong performances, both domestically and in Europe.

The Nigerian defender reminisced about past conversations with Raskin, when the midfielder was struggling with his injury and trying to regain his rhythm. He commended Raskin for his dedication and the effort he put into improving his game, despite facing challenges. Balogun's words highlighted the impressive progress the Belgian has made this season, and he expressed his pride in Raskin’s achievements.

Despite Rangers’ win, the result did not impact their league standing significantly, as they were already in a strong position for UEFA Champions League qualification. Nevertheless, Balogun’s praise for Raskin reflected a sense of unity and teamwork within the squad, as they prepared to finish the season on a positive note.

Leon Balogun praises Belgian midfielder in Rangers' 4-0 victory

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