Balogun reveals Rangers transfer advice to Dessers

Leon Balogun was only kidding when he told Michael Beale to send him an invoice for his part in sending Cyriel Dessers to Ibrox.

But given just how effective the recently-returned Rangers defender’s glowing tribute turned out to be, maybe boss Michael Beale should slip him an extra few bob as reward after all. Balogun turned double agent this summer when he advised Gers’ new £4.5million hitman to take the chance on offer in Govan.

And Dessers has already admitted it was his Nigeria team-mates’ stirring sales pitch that helped make up his mind on his move to Glasgow. Balogun wasn’t just paying lip service with with his advice to the former Feyenoord and Cremonese frontman either, as proved when he jumped at the chance to rejoin the Light Blues just 12 months on from leaving to join QPR. And he’s sure it’s a decision Dessers won’t regret either. Balogun said: “The funny thing is that the same night my agent texted me [to tell me about Rangers’ interest] I actually text the manager to say congratulations on signing Cyriel.

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“I was joking to him and asked, ‘Where should I send the invoice?’ Obviously I was talking to Cyriel too. He basically just asked me what the club is like. He knew a little bit but wanted to know what my experience was like. I told him that for me personally, I had the best time of my career here.

“I enjoyed it, the people are great. I told him they expect a lot, especially the supporters, but that just comes with the size of the club. He said, ‘I know it’s a big club…’ But I said, ‘No you don’t!’

“I thought I had an idea when I came first time but everyone said you’ll only understand how big it is once you get here. That’s what I told Cyriel too: ‘If you really have a chance, buy into it. If you feel the manager wants you, go for it because he will be brilliant for you. The way I know the team and the club, you’ll have a good time there if you do your part’.”

Playing his part is now the challenge for the Belgian-born Super Eagles ace. Beale has seen both last season’s main marksmen Alfredo Morelos and Antonio Colak depart this summer.

But judging by their first outing in Tuesday’s testimonial clash with Newcastle, neither Abdallah Sima of fellow new recruit Sam Lammers appear at their most comfortable leading the line through the middle. The Gers gaffer has already make clear that will be Dessers’ job and Balogun reckons he’s the perfect fit.

“I had only met Cyriel at the national team maybe three or four times but I always felt he was a very intelligent striker,” he said. He’s a very laid-back, friendly and approachable guy. But on the pitch he’s a pest.

“Honestly, I was surprised. He’s pretty strong. I remember I had a conversation with Soutts [John Souttar] the other day and asked what he thought of him. He said: ‘Oh my god, he’s so strong!’

“You don’t really expect that. He’s good in front of the goal as well and I think we’re going to get a lot of joy out of him. He just needs to get up and running. But once he finds his confidence and finds his place in the team properly, I think we’re going to have a lot of joy.”

The Ibrox faithful can expect to get their first glimpse of the 28-year-old in a blue kit this weekend as Hamburg pitch up for Gers’ second public workout of the summer. The real test, however, will come at Rugby Park on August 5 as the curtain raises on the new Premiership season and Dessers is given his first look at Scottish football’s unique rough and tumble tactics.

But Balogun said: “It shouldn’t be problem for him. He survived in African football, which is also quite physical at times. Even in Belgium, where he also played, it can be quite rough. I think he’s very well equipped.”

Balogun can’t claim all the credit for Dessers’ signing. Beale showed he was prepared to go the extra mile to land the former Leuven and Genk striker when he flew to Italy to offer him a way out of Serie A after Cremonese’s relegation agony. And it’s the Londoner’s brilliant mind that made a return to Ibrox so appealing for Balogun.

“He was the one who decided he wanted to work with me again so obviously he was colossal,” insisted the big defender.

“That’s may be a bit dramatic but he’s quite an important figure in this whole thing. There is a certain level of brilliance to the manager’s football brain. You can tell he thinks football all the time.

“I get along with him greatly. I really enjoy working with him. Even today we has a meeting in the morning. I won’t share what he said but he gets you to think and engages with the players.

“I think he educates players beyond football and that’s something very special, especially nowadays when man management is more important than ever. We’ve all just seen the Deli Alli interview and I think we can avoid these situations if you work on a relationship.

“You can never make everybody happy but you can make them feel respected and appreciated and I think he’s very good at that.”

Beale would make the Ibrox faithful feel an awful lot better about themselves if he could end Celtic’s latest reign of dominance. And Balogun – who won a league and Scottish Cup last time round at Ibrox – is quietly optimistic on that front.