Ibrox View: John Bennett already wasting money amid official announcement at Rangers

John Bennett already looks to be wasting Rangers’ money ahead of the summer transfer window, having taken over James Bisgrove’s role at Ibrox.

The club confirmed that Bisgrove would be stepping down from his CEO duties at Ibrox, having accepted a new football role in the Middle East, leaving Bennett to form a team with Philippe Clement and Nils Koppen.

One of the new Executive Chairman’s first decisions has been to hand Leon Balogun a one-year contract extension [Rangers FC], which could be a choice that comes back to haunt the Gers next season.

Although the centre-back has seen some glowing reviews this campaign, there is a clear need for Rangers to focus on younger talents, with one having already slipped through the net this summer in Jose Cordoba.

The 22-year-old defender from Levski Sofia looked to be an extremely promising addition to Clement’s squad before pulling the plug on the deal. Any extra money from Balogun’s extension could, and probably should, have been used towards a younger signing.

Rangers wasting valuable resources ahead of summer transfer window

There is no doubt that, in his prime, Balogun would have been an ideal centre-back choice heading into the 2024/25 campaign. However, now at the age of 35, it feels like a waste of money to keep him at the club.

The Ibrox faithful have been preparing themselves for a summer of change, with a major rebuild already mooted, though many will have wanted a complete reshuffle at the back.

Age is a concerning factor amongst the defenders at Ibrox, with Balogun 35, Connor Goldson 31, Ben Davies 28, and James Tavernier 32, and the new contract extension will not help make a clean start.

Rangers missed out on another Scottish Premiership title to their Old Firm rivals Celtic, with injuries in defence being a key reason for that, and those worries will only be exacerbated as Balogun continues his career.

With the number of additions that could be made this summer, it seems Bennett’s first decision as stand-in Executive Chairman could be one that the club regrets at some point next season.

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