Leon Balogun has faced intense fan expectations throughout his career, but nothing could fully prepare him for the fervor of the Rangers faithful—except perhaps his time with Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Dessers and Balogun
In a recent interview, Balogun shared a surprising story of what happened after a dramatic national team game, revealing how it toughened him for the pressure-cooker atmosphere and life at Ibrox, Footballrover reports.
The 36-year-old defender and his Rangers teammates endured the frustration and groans from the home crowd at Ibrox on Sunday as they labored to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Hearts.
Cyriel Dessers scored within the first six minutes, but instead of calming Philippe Clement’s side, the Light Blues continued to struggle, keeping fans on edge until the final whistle.
Leon Balogun on life at Ibrox: The pressures that prepared him
Reflecting on the tense atmosphere, Balogun, now in his second stint at Ibrox, recalled an even more intense moment four years ago when Nigeria surrendered a solid lead in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
“Playing for the Nigerian national team actually prepared me, because believe me or not, they probably have just as much expectation as our supporters,” he noted.
Balogun Balogun shared that his experience with the Nigerian national team had given him a unique preparation for the pressure of playing at Rangers.
Recalling a match against Sierra Leone, he explained that they had been leading 4-1, and he was substituted after 60 minutes, only for the game to end 4-4.
During their return to the hotel, security personnel advised players not to sit near the windows as some fans threw stones at their bus.
He noted that the high expectations from Nigerian supporters mirrored those at Rangers, which he believed had personally helped him adjust.
In his fourth season at the club, Balogun emphasised that the intense pressure is just part of the job.
While it might sometimes feel unreasonable, he said it’s essential to shoulder that weight upon putting on the Rangers shirt.
He acknowledged that it could impact players differently, especially younger or less experienced ones, but stressed the importance of simply getting on with it.
Despite the tough life at Ibrox, the victory over the weekend sees Leon Balogun and his teammates closed the gap to nine points behind William Hill Premiership leaders Celtic and Aberdeen as they head into the international break.
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