Rangers Nigerian defender Leon Balogun has acknowledged Celtic’s dominance in their loss in the Scottish Cup Final over the weekend.

Reflecting on the game, the 35-year-old defender praised his teammates but admitted that their rivals deserved the victory.

“I believe the edge they had over us this season was in confidence. They showed up and delivered when it mattered, which is where we fell short,” Balogun commented.

“While it’s hard to accept now, looking back at our season, we started tough, made a great comeback.

“Despite our disappointment, there are positives to take away from this game compared to previous derbies. However, the defeat still stings.”

Balogun, who last played for the Super Eagles in the 2022 AFCON qualification against São Tomé and Príncipe, has earned 46 caps with 1 goal for the national team.

Balogun’s Future Uncertain With Rangers

As the end of his contract with Rangers approaches, Balogun faces uncertainty about his future with the club.

The Nigerian defender rejoined the Glasgow side last summer amid a defensive injury crisis and has featured in 19 games, starting 17.

When asked about his future, he stated: “We’ll see. First, I need to process this defeat and take some time off. Then, I’ll assess what the coming weeks bring.

“I expressed my love for the club two years ago, and that hasn’t changed. There’s openness, but I need to focus on the present and then decide what lies ahead.”