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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Robbie Hanratty

Leon Balogun reveals key Rangers manager difference between Gio and Gerrard as he insists his Ibrox journey can go on

Leon Balogun has dubbed former boss Steven Gerrard as 'more emotional' as he reveals the reasons behind Rangers' success under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Van Bronckhorst replaced Gerrard in the Ibrox hot seat last November when the former Liverpool midfielder left the club to join Aston Villa.

The Dutchman had high expectations to live up to upon his arrival.

And while the league title has slipped from Rangers' grasp they could still finish with a sensational Double as they play the Europa League Final and Scottish Cup Final next week.

His time in charge has seem him adopt a different style of football to Gerrard but Balogun insists the differences don’t stop there.

“Steven was a bit more emotional; Gio is more at peace with himself,” Balogun told SportBILD.

“He gives us confidence in a different way. He encourages us to trust in his plan but also in our abilities.

“He gives you many tactical tricks and subtleties that improve you. Little things that end up making a big difference, for example, in passing accuracy and positional play.

“This helps the team to implement its plan in the best possible way.”

Balogun also thinks there is ‘something big in the air’ as they gear up for a Europa League final clash with Eintracht Frankfurt next Wednesday.

And the Nigeria international is embracing that sense of anticipation from supporters.

He added: “We all feel that something big is in the air.

“I recently met a lot of Rangers fans in the city who had already booked their tickets for the final before the semi-final – that was very clever.

“It will be a colourful mix in the stadium, with two fan cultures meeting. I’m expecting a slight overweighting on our side as far as the soundscape is concerned. But I also know how passionate the Frankfurt fans are.”

Balogun has made 62 appearances in all competitions for Rangers since joining on a free transfer from Wigan in summer 2020 and was a key star in their Scottish Premiership success last year under Gerrard.

Now the 33-year-old has hinted he could remain at Ibrox beyond his current contract which is set to expire next month.

“My time here is definitely the best of my career, said Balogun.

“What I’m experiencing here is really sensational.

"For me, the journey can go on. Hopefully, there will be news soon.”

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