Nigeria international Leon Balogun has shared his thoughts on last season's narrow Scottish Premier League (SPL) title miss and the critical steps the team must take to ensure a triumphant campaign ahead.
The Gers placed second, accumulating a total of 85 points, behind eventual winners Celtic, who garnered 93 points.
The 35-year-old had his Rangers contract extended by a year in May and will thus be a key figure in Philippe Clement's setup as they quest to wrest the Scottish Premier League title from their arch-rivals.
Celtic's triumph last season was their third in a row. The Gers last won the title in the 2020/21 season.
Leon Balogun emphasises mentality for SPL title success
in a recent interview with Sky Sports as reported by Football Scotland, Leon Balogun Reflected on last season's intense title race, and candidly addressed the critical areas the team must improve on to secure the championship in the upcoming season.
He emphasised the importance of overcoming their rivals and starting the season on the right foot.
He further highlighted the significance of addressing issues such as pressure and confidence during pre-season to ensure a smoother path to victory.
“We did give them a good race in the end.
“There was a title race, and I think it's fair to say that both teams weren't at their best throughout the whole season, which probably made it that tight at the end. But again, they had that edge over us, and that's what we need to focus on specifically.
“It might be pressure, mentality, confidence… whatever it is, we have to make sure we get this out of the system in pre-season. The earlier, the better, and then off to a good start. If you want to be the champion, you have to beat your rival. It was a race between us two, and there was a stumble. We have to make sure there's not another one this season.”
Leon Balogun made 14 appearances in the Scottish Premier League in the just ended season.
