Leon King is part of the Rangers first team squad on merit but he is all too aware of the challenge ahead to get into the team.
At just 18, he has plenty of time on his side as well as talent given the trust that has been placed in him by Giovanni van Bronckhorst. From last season, the Auchenhowie product has been promoted to the senior squad to continue his learning and development.
He had a front row seat for the glory run all the way to Seville as well as the ups and downs of the domestic season, so it is fair to say from being on the bench and in the dressing room, he will have experienced quite a lot already.
King could be described as the fourth or fifth choice central defender in the Rangers squad at present but he has revealed a maturity and a mental toughness that will stand him in good stead for the path that he needs to travel.
On his right arm are the two words, ‘mind’ and ‘matter’, with the design imposing the former on the latter.
“It’s the first tattoo I ever got, so I think back to that when times get tough. I just think, being a young boy, it’s all mental when you come into a first-team dressing room with a lot of experienced, senior players.”
“It’s about trying to keep on the straight and narrow. Don’t get too far ahead of yourself and don’t get too down. At a club like this it can be nerve-racking sometimes going out there and playing in front of 50,000 fans.”
Choices
That honesty and sense of perspective will serve him well.
Leon King will get game time sparingly this season, but for now it will be few and far between. It is fair to say that he will be behind Connor Goldson, John Souttar and Ben Davies in the pecking order, but can he nudge himself ahead of Fil Helander, with he Swede’s injury concerns denting his impressive defensive credentials?
Niko Katic and Jack Simpson are surplus to requirements, with King’s development prioritised as well as that factor having a bearing on the situation with Leon Balogun, who has since departed.
Keep on that straight and narrow Leon…follow we will.