Rangers defender Leon Balogun has revealed he's determined to win an international recall with Nigeria...at the age of 36.
And he's stressed he would never quit international football.
The Ibrox stopper is currently sidelined with injury but is expected to be back soon.
And he's desperate to return to the international fold three years after he won his last cap with the Super Eagles.
He won the last of his 46 caps in 2022 against Sao Tome and Principe and missed out on the last African Cup of Nations campaign when Nigeria finished runners-up to Ivory Coast.
And he wants to return to the squad for their World Cup double-header next month against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Balogun said: "It’s fair to say I was probably waiting for a call-up.
"Obviously there’s merit, yes, but you always need to make sure that you have something to show.
"There were times I didn’t have anything to show for, and there was a time when unfortunately kept being sidelined, not my fault really but it was an injury that again kept me out for a very long time and it shouldn’t have happened like this.
"I was in touch with former manager Jose Peseiro back then leading up to the African Cup of Nations and I was only just hoping to make the squad because that was the beginning of last season where I didn’t play for the first two and a half months.
Read more:
-
Ben Davies addresses Rangers future as he shines at Birmingham City
-
Referee expert runs the rule over Hearts' penalty claim vs Rangers
"But then it got interesting because I was playing well leading up to the Finals so that hurt me a little bit not to be considered, but again I found my peace with it.
"Representing Nigeria is a huge honour for me always and I would like to think that people always saw that in my performances like I don’t come here to joke. I'm up for it.
"Just recently I clarified that I never retired because I know that was a thing people were thinking, so I am still up for selection.”
