Rangers new boy Leon Balogun has a bit of history with the player who Celtic are reportedly trying to sign.
The Scottish Daily Mail [15/02, back page] claimed this past weekend that the Hoops want Brighton & Hove Albion stalwart Shane Duffy at Parkhead.
Celtic, vying to inflict 10-in-a-row against Rangers come next May, will reportedly have to pay a big loan fee in the region of £2 million to get it done.
This season is simply huge for the Old Firm sides.
If Neil Lennon is successful, Celtic will have won 10 Premiership titles on the spin – the first time it’s ever happened – and Gers boss Steven Gerrard must ensure that it doesn’t happen.
Balogun has enjoyed a steady start to life at Rangers, and Duffy, who played alongside him with the Seagulls, raved about his former team-mate back in 2018.
The Irish centre-back said to The Argus two years ago: “He was great. He fitted straight in. He’s a big character in the changing room already. You can tell. He’s got a big voice and he’s experienced. He’s played in big games against big players.”
This might be a tad ominous for Celtic, because part of Rangers’ problems down the years has been a lack of big characters, the lack of a Scott Brown for example.
And although Balogun isn’t anything like Brown in terms of playing style, it could be a huge boost for the Ibrox outfit if he’s similar in terms of energy, character and leadership.
Going by Duffy’s comments, he might be.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
