Hutton can’t believe Leon Balogun snub as new Rangers details emerge
Alan Hutton was “surprised” Rangers have turned down the chance to keep Leon Balogun on the books.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gers right-back said Giovanni van Bronckhorst doesn’t need the new Queens Park Rangers signing in the team.
QPR confirmed the capture of the 34-year-old on a one-year deal last Friday (26 August).
The Nigeria international left Rangers this summer following the expiration of his Ibrox contract.
As relayed by The Scottish Sun on Thursday (1 August), Balogun has finally left his residence in Glasgow and said goodbye with an emotional Instagram tribute.
Balogun was an unused substitute for QPR in their 3-1 win over Hull City on Tuesday (30 August).
Balogun sparked speculation about a return to Ibrox earlier this month after being spotted at Rangers’ game against PSV Eindhoven (16 August).
Speaking to BT Sport (16 August), Bears legend Ally McCoist suggested the club should re-sign Balogun and admitted he was surprised at the departure.
When asked if he was surprised Rangers didn’t try to re-sign the defender, Hutton told Football Insider. “I must admit I was a little bit surprised.
“With everything that happened at Rangers and the injuries that’s happened so far I thought that it would be a no-brainer to go back.
“He knows the club, what it’s all about, he knows the pressure that he’d be under to perform, so I thought it would be an ideal situation.
“For whatever reason, the manager doesn’t think so and he’s gone down a different avenue. He obviously trusts James Sands in there at this moment in time and he’s going to wait for other boys to be fit. I did think it would be a possibility.“
In other news, McLeish has issued ‘big’ Alfredo Morelos transfer verdict amid Rangers twist.