Leon Balogun fails late fitness test, misses 7th straight league game
Leon Balogun failed to pass a late fitness test and the Nigerian’s desire for a return to action was further delayed as he was not in the team sheet for Rangers’ Boxing Day action against St Mirren.
The centre-back returned to training in midweek and Rangers boss Gio van Bronckhorst suggested he could feature at Ibrox on Boxing Day.
The 33 year old failed to pass a fitness test and will now miss his seventh consecutive Scottish Premiership game for Rangers.
Balogun, who was called up to Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations squad on Saturday, has missed several weeks after limping out of the Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat to Hibernian on November 21.
He’s yet to feature under Van Bronckhorst but Calvin Bassey has proved an able replacement alongside Connor Goldson.
Calvin Bassey
The 21 year old was named in the line-up against St Mirren for his 10th straight start and 14th start in 14 appearances so far this season.
Bassey was snubbed by Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen in his 28-man squad list for the Africa Cup of Nations, killing the talented defender’s hopes of making his international debut for Nigeria.
Joe Aribo
The third Nigerian at the club, Joe Aribo is also in the starting line up for his 19th start in 20 appearances in the competition so far this season.
Aribo has scored six times and bagged three assists so far in 19 games and he will be looking to either score his first goal or bag his first assist in seven games in all competitions against St Mirren.
