LOVING THE DREAM

Leon won't moan about a hectic schedule when he's well versed in sitting idle

LEON BALOGUN is the last player you’ll hear whining about a hectic festive schedule and training on Christmas Day. 

The Rangers defender has lived life on the other side of the tracks, fearing a career that had taken him to the brink of the 2014 World Cup was going to fizzle out after a club released him in the wake of a serious injury.

So, playing a few games over Christmas and New Year for a club with one trophy in the cabinet while still chasing three more is hardly likely to elicit a moan from the Nigeria international.

At 35, Balogun is loving every minute of his second spell at Ibrox after being at QPR in between.

He has become new boss Philippe Clement’s preferred choice at left centre-back, sitting in alongside Connor Goldson, and will almost certainly feature when Ross County come calling tonight.

The only way he’d miss out is if Clement wants him fresh for the Old Firm showdown at Celtic Park on Saturday.

But Balogun would play every minute of every match if asked and admits he takes the same attitude into every training session.

He said: “I am 35, I have been trying to live like that for a few years now in order to add some years towards the end.

“It is not working out so bad for me. We are very privileged as foot ballers to be doing what we are doing. There comes a lot of joy with it, a lot of nice things come with being a footballer. There are a lot of sacrifice as well.