Someone once said that the top 2% or two centimetres of an athlete are the most important, suggesting that it’s an individual’s mentality that can be the difference between winning and losing when all else is equal.
We’ve seen already the attitude of our skipper, James Tavernier, putting the hard yards in on holiday in Dubai and setting the example for others in the squad to follow.
Mentality can often be the difference between being able to make the step up to the senior squad or joining the ranks of players who only ever showed fleeting examples of fulfilling the potential they once had but one Rangers prospect loss to be doing everything they can to get the most out of his talent – what is it they say, “hard work beats talent, if talent doesn’t work hard”?
Well, Leon King appears to have both if the footage on social media is anything to go by.
Training with Commando X-Fit, a functional training gym in Glasgow, King is clearly looking to get every ounce out of his body rather than just doing extra to look good.
Day one at @commandox_fit for @Leon_king04 today 👏 pic.twitter.com/pR18BUsE6V
— Elliott Fillingham (@elliottf77) June 21, 2022
King’s agent has posted videos of the young centre-half doing dynamic strength and plyometric training which will stand him in good stead competing for the numerous high balls that will be launched at him throughout his career at Rangers and it’s just the latest sign that the teenager has his head well and truly screwed on.
Day two @commandox_fit for @Leon_king04 grafting for preseason @RangersFC 👏 pic.twitter.com/Xl52FFRbsE
— Elliott Fillingham (@elliottf77) June 22, 2022
We will hopefully see a lot more of King next season, either alongside Connor Goldson or in a back three, that he can also deputise at left back will do him no harm at all should we sell Borna Barisic or Calvin Bassey in what is going to be a big season for a player long tipped to be a real asset for years to come.