Rangers defender Leon Balogun put in an excellent display to help the Light Blues secure a 1-0 victory over Old Firm rivals Celtic yesterday.
The Nigerian international was tasked with filling in at right-back, with both James Tavernier and Nathan Patterson sidelined, and he did a fantastic job to keep Kyogo Furuhashi quiet for most of the afternoon.
Supporters on Twitter were quick to praise Balogun for his contribution to the win at Ibrox, with many believing it was one of his best performances for the club:
Wow…just wow.
— russ forsythe (@ukprint1) August 29, 2021
Balogun Clearing his Pockets at Home pic.twitter.com/65oMWYTY7t
— Kieran (@TheAuxery) August 29, 2021
Like many others, I was a bit nervous given the last time he played against them at RB. What a performance.
Stood up today and was brave. Well deserved MOTM.
WATP
— BlueDel (@Vengafish) August 29, 2021
Definitely MOTM,fantastic performance.
— June Crichton (@june_crichton) August 29, 2021
Best game he has had
— MallyMUFCRFC?? (@mallynicmufcRFC) August 29, 2021
BRILLIANT ???
— ranger54 (@blueforever54) August 29, 2021
Absolutely stepped up……did fantastically well, team fell away at little at the substitutions IMO, but finished strongly…..well deserved victory after a very tough week for the Club…
— David Semple (@sempledw) August 29, 2021
Rock today. Him and Robbie McCrorie did themselves proud. ??????
— Steven Smith (@Smudgersmith15) August 29, 2021
He was absolutely outstanding today !! No Manager, No Captain, no Goalie and they were nowhere near us !!!!
Kyogo who ????????— Gordon Merrylees (@GordonMerrylees) August 29, 2021
Considering the 33-year-old had struggled when asked to play at fullback last year, it was surprising how comfortable he seemed playing out of position in the derby.
Balogun dealt extremely well with Furuhashi, who had to be switched to the middle during the course of the second half, and he should be commended for filling in so ably when Rangers manager Steven Gerrard needed him.
With Tavernier and Patterson expected to return to action very soon, though, it is unlikely we’ll see Balogun making many more appearances as a fullback in the future.