Leon Balogun was given a hero’s welcome when he returned to the Rangers defence in Allan McGregor’s testimonial against Newcastle United last week.
It felt like a homecoming, he insists. And that, for a man born in Berlin and an international for Nigeria, represents quite a statement.
Balogun’s two seasons at Ibrox ended abruptly when his contract wasn’t renewed after the Scottish Cup final in 2022. He doesn’t try to hide the fact that rejection hurt after serving the club so well and revealed he had become so settled in Glasgow that he remained in the city for three months after being told his career at Ibrox was over.
That might explain the air of disbelief that still emanates from the 35-year-old centre back now that he is back for a second spell.