THE start against St Mirren on Sunday had a horrible, ominous feeling to it.

The opening 20 minutes in Paisley were arguably the worst in recent years. Rangers could barely get the ball out of their own half - never mind look to create a chance. It seemed like the start of a performance and result that’s been coming for the majority of the season.

It’s to the immense credit of the players that they fought back to take all three points. It was a case of waiting for St Mirren to fizzle out and be ruthless, and they did exactly that. Not only did Rangers start the game poorly - St Mirren were excellent. Therefore to lead by half-time was a welcome surprise.

The second half was the closest Rangers have looked to last season’s performances; not in free-flowing football, but in the ability to stifle the opponents.

They saw the game out and barely gave the home side a sniff of a chance: that is a quality that can define champions.

It didn’t feel like it during the first half, but St Mirren managed very few chances throughout the game and their goal was a wonder strike. The strength of Leon Balogun at the back was once again absolutely critical.

Balogun’s signing in the summer of 2020 raised some eyebrows. Fans knew little of him as his contract at crisis-hit Wigan expired. It didn’t feel at the time as if the presence of another centre back was needed, but it turned out to be a shrewd signing as events unfolded.

When Helander was stretchered off earlier in the season, it had the potential to be a season-defining moment. The Swede’s game intelligence and calmness at the back have been great throughout his time at Ibrox. However, Balogun has filled the role extremely well and hasn’t looked out of place.

After recovering from some sketchy early-season showings against Malmö, the Nigerian has been a standout. His pace and strength are the perfect characteristics for the position and he has grown as the season progresses.

On Sunday, his performance against St Mirren was exemplary. Up against Eamonn Brophy, who has caused a number of Rangers centre backs problems over the years, the defender offered no space or time. It was another to add to a run of good showings since being thrown in at right-back in the Old Firm.

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This coming summer, the Ibrox side have eight players with expiring contracts. Balogun is one of them. That is before we explore what contracted players may be ready to try pastures new. The club cannot keep players for the sake of it, but it is critical to retain coherence to the squad and limit whole-scale changes where possible.

Central defence is one area that may come under particular scrutiny next summer. Will Goldson sign a new contract or look to move down south? Will Balogun sign a new contract? Will Katic return from loan? Will Simpson turn around his Rangers career or will the club look to move him on? If it’s true that you build from the back, that’s a concerning number of unknowns to have on the horizon.

Steven Gerrard's men should give an easy answer to one of those questions and sign Balogun up for another year.

He thrives in a Rangers shirt. He has discussed his passion and enjoyment of playing for the club, particularly in the midst of taking the knee and the support he received. Turning 34 as his contract ends and may not be suited to play every week, but his experience could be vital as new players arrive.

He currently plays in every game but has also shown he is suited to rotating and could continue doing that when the squad once more has a full complement of centre-backs.

It’s a big compliment to Balogun that Rangers will lose him, Aribo and Bassey to the African Cup of Nations in January, and his loss will be as big to the team as that of Aribo.

With it looking unlikely Helander will be up to speed by this point, a loan may be necessary to fill the position. If someone does come in, they will have big shoes to fill in the centre-back's absence.

It feels unlikely Rangers will rediscover the free-flowing confidence that made last season’s title-winning season so attractive on the eye - but a solidity at the back would be a great starting place. Balogun is leading by example and if others follow, Rangers may just manage to maintain that top spot.