Rangers defender Leon Balogun has told Kicker that he tries to avoid saying Celtic by their name.
Balogun, who joined Steven Gerrard’s Rangers in the summer of 2020, has said that he does not say Celtic by name because of the rivalry between the two clubs.
The 32-year-old Nigeria international central defender has made it clear that no one at Rangers has forbidden him to say ‘Celtic’.
Balogun told Kicker about calling Celtic ‘the other’: “I try to avoid it, also out of respect for the deep rivalry. I wasn’t there myself, but there must have been a player here who had shoes that were mostly green. Since then someone from the coaching staff has formulated a friendly request not to put these shoes on again.”
Important player for Rangers
The strong and intense rivalry between Rangers and Celtic is well known, and Balogun seems to understand that perfectly.
Rangers fans must love it that the Nigerian does not say ‘Celtic’, and it is great of the defender to be like that.
On the pitch, the former Brighton and Hove Albion star is a very important player for the Gers.
According to WhoScored, Balogun has made 15 starts and four substitute appearances in the Scottish Premiership for Rangers so far this season, providing two assists in the process.
The defender also made seven starts and one substitute appearance in the Europa League for Rangers this campaign, according to WhoScored.
Rangers have won the Scottish Premiership title this season and also reached the Europa League Round of 16.
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