Glasgow Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has admitted that he will need to manage Leon Balogun carefully through the season.
Balogun needs to be managed
Balogun signed for the Ibrox outfit on a free transfer from Brighton during the summer transfer window, and started well. In his first three starts, the Gers didn’t concede a goal, and they have shipped just one in the seven games overall in which has appeared.
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However, he has struggled with injuries already this term, meaning that he has played less than half of the 54-time Scottish champions’ matches. Speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash against Kilmarnock, Gerrard said:
“Leon is one we have to manage in terms of his body, he has had some injuries in the past and he needs looking after. The same with Helander from last year when we lost him for three months, which hurt us a lot.
“It is about managing the individual players in terms of physically. But, from their point of view, they all have to be ready to perform because four doesn’t go into two.”
Squad depth is important
Gerrard has not had the best start to the season in terms of his central defenders. Nikola Katic was injured during pre-season and has therefore not played a minute this term, whilst Filip Helander has also encountered issues. In fact, Connor Goldson is the only central defender who has not had any problems.
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Gerrard also said that he is happy to have four top-quality centre-backs. It is clear just how vital his squad depth is. Even with players coming in and out of the side, the Gers have still conceded just four goals in 17 games in all competitions. Hopefully, though, the manager will be able to make selection decisions without being forced into them in the future.
In other news, Rangers fans hammered this midfielder against Poznan on Thursday.
