LEON BALOGUN is making the most of a full pre-season and is breaking through the pain barrier to be ready for the new season.
The central defender arrived at Gers last summer, but having finished up playing with Wigan Athletic just before and in previous years having international football to contend with Nigeria, this summer has provided him with an excellent stretch of preparation time.
Balogun was speaking to RangersTV, with your club channel, official website, app and social media channels being the only place to follow your favourites this summer.
He said: "Last season I didn't really have a break - I came straight off playing games, but this year, I had a break so it is very important, as for everyone else.
"It is my first full pre-season in a long time as I have always been away on internationals, so it is good to feel your body like that again as I always say this is the time where you can break through some limits that you had before and set some new limits, and also work on the mental side, working through the fatigue and that pain that you have sometimes.
"So I welcome it - even though it hurts at times!"
Balogun also discussed the incredible focus he has seen at the club in his time here, continuing: "We have our heads set on qualifying for the Champions League, and that has always been a dream for me.
"We have to put in the work for that, but everyone really has that target set and is keen on that.
"I am working under an amazing management team with some amazing players and some amazing talent, and it is elite, definitely.
"The focus is high and I can sense that feeling of everyone wanting to replicate that winning feeling again as it has been so overwhelming and so nice that you don't want to lose that.
"It is something I have seen from the first day I came in, and it is quite contagious. If you look at the gym, you have a real culture there of everyone pushing on and working on weaknesses and working on strength as well just to make sure everybody is in the right state of mind and body as well."
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