Bad day at the office for Leon Balogun in Rangers defeat to Braga

Leon Balogun had a performance to forget for Glasgow Rangers in their Europa League quarter-final first leg tie against Braga on Thursday.

The Nigerian international had a poor game and it was his blunder that cost Rangers a good result going into the second leg.

After a goalless 40 minutes, Braga took the lead five minutes before the break, Balogun’s scuffed clearance allowed Abel Ruiz to fire past Allan McGregor.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst then decided to substitute the defender alongside two others after the hour mark, with Borna Barisic, Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe coming on as they pushed for the equalizer.

Roofe smashed a shot over the bar from Arfield’s cross and Calvin Bassey had a shot blocked by the Braga defence.

Braga defended the advantage with everything they have and will head into the second leg in front.

Rangers have now kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 away games in European competition (including qualifiers), after registering four shut-outs in the five before that.

Also, they have conceded at least one goal in each of their last eight away games in major European competition, their longest run since a 13-game stretch between 1993 and 1999.

However, Rangers now have a one-goal deficit to overturn when the Portuguese side visits Ibrox for the return leg in seven days’ time.