Glasgow Rangers of Scotland duo, Leon Aderemi Balogun and Joe Aribo but got six points out of ten for their efforts in a dramatic victory for their side on Saturday, as The Gers’ current top form saw them sink their city rivals, Celtic in the Old Firm Derby.
Megasportsarena.com reorts that, while Taiwo Awoniyi scored his fifth goal of the season for Union Berlin of Germany, Balogun and Aribo were both on from the start and put in battling efforts at both ends, but it was an own goal that gave their side maximum points on the evening in Glasgow.
While Balogun went on to get full duration action in the encounter, Aribo was replaced by Brandon Barker on the dot of 90 minutes, as The Gers moved 19 points clear at the Scottish Premiership summit, after Callum McGregor put the ball into Celtics’ net, following Nir Bitton’s dismissal.
Rangers were not at their best at Ibrox but they remain relentless in their pursuit of the title, with the game turning on referee Bobby Madden’s decision to send off Bitton for a professional foul after 62 minutes as he tussled with Alfredo Morelos.
By then, Rangers keeper Allan McGregor had produced several saves to ensure the hosts remained level with their fierce rivals, but eight minutes later, Steven Gerrard’s men went in front as the unfortunate McGregor deflected James Tavernier’s corner into his own net.
Three minutes later, a poor headed clearance by Balogun was intercepted by David Turnbull, whose cross was swept towards goal by Leigh Griffiths and McGregor was once again drawn into action, tipping over the rising shot.
Celtic had won five of their previous seven visits to Ibrox, and the defending champions continued to ask more questions as McGregor watched his shot whistle past the post. Rangers were struggling to impose themselves against the high energy of Lennon’s men, with Alfredo Morelos failing to connect with Aribo’s low cross.
Ultimately, a sixth red card in the last seven Old Firm derbies swung the pendulum in Rangers’ favour as Bitton was caught the wrong side of Morelos from Tavernier’s measured pass, with referee Madden in no doubt the makeshift centre-back was the last line of defence prior to him wrestling the Colombian to the ground.
There would be no late drama as Rangers moved 19 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, although second-placed Celtic still have three games in hand, but the Nigerian duo and their pals held firmly till the final whistle.
Balogun got six points on the analysts’ cards, and a citation in his favour read: “Magnificent block on Edouard’s second-half shot at 0-0 atoned for an earlier error to present a chance to Griffiths as he eased into the game.”
Aribo’s rating was also six, and his review stated: “Found Morelos with a fine cross for Rangers’ only chance of the opening 45 minutes. This didn’t feel like the midfielder’s game but he never shirked responsibilities before he was withdrawn late on.”
In Germany, Taiwo Awoniyi scored his fifth goal of the season and provided an assist that helped Union Berlin win 2-0 away to Werder Bremen in a German Bundesliga fixture that was played at Wohninvest Weserstadion on Saturday.
Making his 130th appearance as a professional, the UAE 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup gold medalist, who is currently on loan from Liverpool of England, was involved in both goals scored by Union Berlin, providing the assist for the opener before netting the insurance goal.
Twelve minutes in, Awoniyi set up Becker to striker and, four minutes later, he missed a chance to make it two when he shot over the bar, but the 23-year-old Nigerian striker then scored his first goal of 2021 on 28 minutes.
Awoniyi is now enjoying his most prolific time in the Bundesliga, as he could only manage a single league goal last season at SV Mainz 05, and he has this term helped Union Berlin up to fourth place on the table with 24 points from 14 matches.
