Leon Balogun accepts Rangers criticism, addresses Ibrox issues

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EVEN in victory there are still concerns and criticisms. This reflects the standards the Rangers have set, but also the demands of a support and a club that must never stand still.

There was little joy to be taken from the 1-0 victory over Alashkert on Thursday night. The result was positive, but there were few more gathered and the dark cloud continues to linger over Ibrox.

Defeats to Dundee United and Malmo still cast a shadow and Steven Gerrard’s side find themselves under surveillance just weeks after the start of the campaign. At Rangers, that’s life.

It’s a fact Leon Balogun recognizes and understands, a fact his teammates cannot avoid as they look to kick off a season that has delivered little so far.

The trip to Ross County on Sunday is followed by a grueling trip to Yerevan. Next weekend, Celtic are the visitors to the first Old Firm game of the new term.

Even at this early stage, this dating treble has a potentially defining aspect and further stumbles at home and abroad would not be tolerated.

“We have to be honest,” Balogun said. “If you look at our recent performances, that was not the face we wanted to show.

“It needs to be improved. It’s clear to everyone.

“You don’t have to water that down. That’s the challenge for us right now and we need to focus on that.

“The good thing is that there is a game coming up on Sunday and it’s a chance to go back to the old ways.

“If we knew the exact reason, we would shut it down like that.

“This is the challenge we have to face. There is no point in hiding it.

“The criticism will come and we have to face it, redo our performances and upgrade our standards. There’s a reason the wait is there after last season.

“If you do what we did, that’s okay. It’s about managing it but not putting too much pressure on us.

“At the end of the day, we know what we are capable of and we have to work on it to regain confidence. Sunday is the next opportunity to take steps towards that goal.”

Alfredo Morelos’ goal that earned Rangers a first-leg lead in their play-off should be enough to bring Gerrard’s side to the Europa League group stage for a fourth consecutive season.

It was one of the champions’ few quality moments as the forward finished emphatically after recovering a sapped ball from captain James Tavernier.

The Rangers would level up after the break. However, they would still be below desired standards, and Gerrard’s assessment left no doubt about his feelings about the performance and the outcome.

Balogun said: “We have to be like that. In the second half there was a big improvement.

“There was a reaction and it’s something we have to use because we’ve shown ourselves that we can play against everyone, and we want it above all else.

“It’s about finding consistency because it’s fair to say that we haven’t yet put in a 90-minute performance. We owe it to ourselves but also to our supporters.

“One thing I’ve always been told is that you don’t talk about what’s going on in the locker room.

“But I think it’s clear that we have to work it out. You can see that on the pitch.

“We’ve been talking about performances so far this season and we absolutely have to step up and raise our levels. We have to do whatever needs to be done to make that happen.”

Before the problems that plagued the Rangers with this term can be rectified, they must first be identified. This process is underway in Ibrox and the county is now aiming to make the Rangers’ woes worse.

A lack of intensity was clear Thursday night and Gerrard didn’t hold back in a sharp blow, to the point of seeing where his team went wrong against Alashkert.

There was urgency in the way the Rangers operated, with and without the ball, during their 55-win campaign. To this day, this approach has rarely been replicated, as the Champions have failed to pick up where they left off.

Balogun said: “Like I said before, we have to work on it. I don’t think it’s missing completely because we’ve had it in games but not more than 90 minutes.

“One thing is a matter of consistency. And probably also a matter of focus. But it’s fair to say that there is a lack of that (pace of play) right now. It needs to be reversed.

“I couldn’t figure it out. That’s what we need to figure out and sort out.

“I can’t say that’s that reason or that reason. That’s what needs to be determined – as soon as possible.

“Sunday is our next best chance to make this point and show it to our supporters. And also to ourselves.

“We owe it not only to ourselves, but also to the supporters.”

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