Balogun urges 'mentality shift' from Rangers squad

Leon Balogun says Rangers need a "shift in mentality" if they are to wrestle the title back from Celtic in the new season.

Philippe Clement's side faltered in the final months of last term to finish eight points adrift as Celtic won a third successive title.

Rangers kick off the 2024-25 campaign away to Hearts and defender Balogun, who has signed a one-year deal to stay at Ibrox, told Sky Sports: "We need to have a shift in mentality and build more confidence.

"We need to build that through pre-season, but that's a process that we need to work on every day by reputation mainly and gaining confidence in what you do.

"Under the manager we've seen what he was able to do in a very short period of time.

"Given he now has a full pre-season to work with us to implement his ideas, that's one factor. Apart from that, it's what we're about every year and the quality in the team.

"It's about ticking a few boxes and working on a few weak spots that we had last season and make sure they go away."

Balogun, 35, regards the opener Tynecastle as an ideal tester for the Ibrox squad.

"Hearts are normally one of the stronger teams in the league so I think it's the perfect start to see where we're at," he added.

"We have something to make up for and we want to have a good start to the season."