Rangers fans have announced the new club captain, regardless of who currently wears the armband, after an Ibrox Noise poll quizzed supporters over who they might want.

With captain James Tavernier staying on too long after 55 and now becoming something of a villain of the piece, fans have taken to our poll to explain that no, indeed, they do not want Tav wearing the band any more, and they want someone new.

In our poll (1500 votes and counting), Connor Barron was last, 3%. He’s a leader, but he’s not there yet, it seems.

Next was Tavernier, just 4% endorsing his leadership.

Then we had John Souttar, 10% seeking his installation in the position.

‘Someone else’ was a strong 12%, a few suggesting Dujon Sterling. We wouldn’t want the ex-Chelsea man. He’s not a leader any more than Tav was or is.

Egotist Jack Butland was second with a pretty modest 16%, having completely lost his stock with supporters the last 6 months – he’s gone into the ‘disappointing’ phrase book. He topped this poll in Spring.

But the miles runaway leader with a landslide 55%, very appropriate, was of course Leon Balogun.

He is considerably by a long distance the biggest leader – he’s the one who’s been facing supporters, he’s been accepting the abuse, and agreeing completely the performances have been sh*t. Sterling did this as well.

Rangers fans don’t want ‘disappointing’ pretenders like Tav and Butland, we want players who truly care.

Balogun isn’t a born Rangers fan, but he became one, and he’s as gutted as we are – but he shows it. He shows passion, anger, fire, and rage, while maintaining the dignity we need in that role.

His speaking to Rangers fans yesterday was the thing no other player could do, and unlike his manager he offered no excuses.

The fans waiting on the players applauded him for being the one actually willing to stop for them.

Balogun is one of the few leaders we have.

A true leader takes the abuse face on, and he makes no excuses – he is an example to all the rest of the squad about being a leader.

And we’d endorse him being captain, even if he’s not always fit.