Glasgow Rangers defender Leon Balogun recently shared insights into how playing for Nigeria’s Super Eagles prepared him for the high expectations at Ibrox.
The 36-year-old, now in his second spell with Rangers, explained that the pressure from Nigerian football fans mirrored the intensity he faces from Rangers supporters. Reflecting on his time with the Super Eagles, he recounted an incident where fans pelted the team bus after a disappointing draw, which he believes helped him build resilience for club football.
Balogun’s first stint with Rangers ran from 2020 to 2022, and he rejoined in 2023. Although he’s no longer part of the Nigerian national team due to age, the former Brighton defender attributes his growth in professional football to the lessons he learned while representing Nigeria.
“Playing for the Nigerian national team actually prepared me, because believe me or not, they probably have just as much expectation as our supporters,” Balogun said.
He recalled a vivid example: “I was at Rangers at the time and we played against Sierra Leone. We were winning 4-1—good for me as I came off after 60 minutes—and we ended the game 4-4. On the way back to the hotel, some of the security staff said, ‘don’t sit next to the windows.’ Some players closed the curtains, and five minutes into the drive, you turn the corner and they threw stones at the bus, our own fans. So I guess that kind of prepared me.”
“The expectation of Nigeria was always really, really high. So I’ve met something like it before, and I think that helped me personally.”
In recent weeks, Rangers fans have expressed frustration due to a challenging season start and recent poor performances. Balogun believes the supporters have the right to hold the team to high standards.
“It’s my fourth season at the club (Rangers). I know what it can be like, and you just have to get on with it to be very honest. There are moments probably where you think, OK, that’s a bit unreasonable, but it’s just the club.”
“You have to put that weight on your shoulders as soon as you put on the shirt and deal with it. And obviously it can have an impact every now and then, or sometimes for some players more than others, especially if they’re a bit younger if they’re not used to it. But like I said, you have to get on with it.”
