Former Tottenham Hotspur right-back, Alan Hutton, admits he was “stunned” when Rangers announced the signing of Leon Balogun on a free transfer after his exit from Wigan Athletic.
Rangers confirmed last week that the 32-year-old had put pen to paper on a one-year deal, while the club holds an optional clause to keep him for a further year at Ibrox.
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Hutton admits that the 31-cap Nigeria international might not be a regular for Steven Gerrard but insists he will still be a valuable member of the squad.
Hutton told Football Insider: “I was kind of stunned when I saw it, I looked on my phone and then bang, signing, it kind of came out of nowhere.
“We spoke about them wanting the fourth centre-half, I think it was a priority to bring someone in. He’s 32 now, he’s experienced and I know he’s not played so much in the last few years, but he’s an international player who’s played abroad – he knows the game.
“I think he will be more of a backup option but a good option to have.”
Balogun played 11 times in the Championship for Wigan last season, having joined the Latics from Brighton back in January.
He played eight times in the Premier League with the Seagulls, while he also featured in 75 Bundesliga games during his time at Mainz, Werder Bremen and Hannover 96.
12 Comments
Na u be the coach? Yeye bookmakers
You are sick. No apologies. Once he gets regular playing time, go to the field and remove the shirt on him. Fool!!!
Animal bombastic element when he will be playing then u go and stop him
It’s disheartening how British analysts and ex internationals label our players when they make a big career leap in the united kingdom.They speak their sectional heart out because if the player in question is from their country it would be a different song.
Ighalo had all that sticks and everyone of them have to lick their wounds and now Balogun is the focus and i’m sure Balogun will surprise Mr.Hutton and claim the number 5 shirt at Scottish Rangers.
However,relentless pressure most times get on the coaches who does as they will just to please them.
This analysts and ex internationals would make a case for their own player as they are threatened a foreign player could deny their own a starting spot leading to early pressure on the coaches most times who are foreigners and are more likely to please this disgruntled people to keep their job without hostilities.
Leon Balogun will prove you wrong! Why such bias analysis?
Hahahahaha Naija we love our own, how I wish we can be really like this in all endeavors! We for be like Iceland where true love reigns!
Hahahahaha @samuel before nko,that idiot deserve that
It’s really sad a professional in the game ll be making these comment public ….wishing a player ill luck bf the beginning of the season simply bcos he is a foreigner.if efe ambrose can control a regular playing time for so long in Celtic m sure balogun ll own that defensive spot
Mrs Hutton eleribobo bi eni akamu…
These are the same ppl that comes out every day shouting
BLACK LIVES MATTER,
SAY NO TO RACISM.
What is this one called.
look at Harry maguire,we all know that our keneth Omerou is better than that catoon head yet none of them are critisizing his performance simply bcox he is a son of the soil.
is it not this same Balogun that changed withan to reguler clean sheet keepers?
a maguire man united both for 80million is there banging own goals and making silly mistakes but no,no one will blame him.
but tell me,when last did balogun score an own goal?.
i jxt can’t express how reading this article pains me deep in the heart.
It’s not what these bunch of gobshites say about our players that really bothers me, but how quickly n happily some nigerians/ Africans buy into whatever these brain dead individuals say about our players. Just wanna thumbs up every comments here,regarding this nonsensical statement from one disappearing out of existence,along with his emptying glass of cheap beer. This is why I don’t waste my time reading any rating of our players by them. I personally rate our players when they play for the national team because at club level, I know sooo many dirty stuff going on there that are making it difficult for our players to perform to their optimum. You only need to get close to these people to know how dirty minded, not any different from demons in human skin, and funny enough they come smiling foolishly, thinking it’s still as it was back in history when our fore fathers got decieved by that umbrella smile.
Alan Hutton you gonna eat ur word bcos our own Balogun is there at rangers to feature and be a regular, thank God Gerard is not blockhead like you, he is general is midfield during his playing days and he sure see something in balogun before making the purchase. Your stupid statement dnt make no sense Hutton.