‘Concentrating on myself’ – Rangers defender speaks about lack of game time and Ibrox future.
Although Leon King has long been considered one of the Rangers’ best promising prospects, he is currently having difficulty playing regularly for the first team, which has raised questions about his long-term future at Ibrox.
The youthful defender made his debut in a League Cup match against Falkirk in 2020, just 16 years old, thanks to a pass from Steven Gerrard.
King’s performance earned him accolades, and he has since made 30 more appearances across all competitions, the most of which (23), occurred during the previous season.
In more recent months, King has received limited first team exposure, featuring just three times and has often featured for the B team instead.
The defender admitted in an interview with Glasgow Times that he has found it difficult to be out of the first team picture, but remains adamant that he will fight for his place at Ibrox and claims that he has also held productive talks with manager Philippe Clement.
“To be honest, no,” the Scotland U21 international said when asked if he’d thought about a loan move. “I’ve just been concentrating on myself and bettering myself in training.”
The 20-year-old added: “The manager is big on the boys who aren’t playing pushing the boys who are in training.
I’m just really enjoying myself right now, and I hope that continues. “Obviously, it’s difficult when a new manager comes in because you don’t know what to expect. You don’t know if you’ll still be here, you don’t know what the script is really. I feel like we’re a lot closer now in terms of the boys who come into the team compared to those who start.
“But he was really good with me. He was open, he was honest and he told me he wanted me to stay and fight for my place.
“Last year was difficult as I had quite a lengthy time not playing games. So it was really nice to get back out there playing in front of the fans at Ibrox.”
King featured at the heart of the defence during his side’s recent 2-2 draw with FC Copenhagen in a mid-season friendly and admitted it was a great feeling to be back on the pitch.
He added: “It was really nice to get back out there playing in front of the fans at Ibrox.
“Now I just need to repay that faith the manager has shown in me by putting me back in the squad. Modern-day football is about your ability to be versatile and play different positions.
“I’ve always looked to be able to play in different positions because ultimately it helps you get a game at the end of the day. So it’s great that I can fill in a lot of different roles if the manager needs me.
“I can perform anyplace. It can be tough if you’re not a football player because every young guy wants to play the game. I just have to focus, but I’ll play wherever the manager asks me to.
The next Premiership game between Rangers and Hibs is away, and King will be one of the players vying for a spot in Clement’s matchday squad. In the upcoming weeks, there will be further games against St. Mirren, Livingston, and Aberdeen before a cup match against an underdog Ayr United squad that is currently battling at the bottom of the Championship.
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