Gio van Bronckhorst is set to be handed a defensive boost with Leon King poised to dodge an SFA rap for his last-gasp lunge on Motherwell’s Stuart McKinstry.
The Rangers kid – who is being tracked by several Premier League outfits including Leeds United and mega rich Newcastle – was sweating on a call from the Hampden compliance officer. King was shown a yellow card by referee David Dickinson after he hauled down the Well attacker in the final minutes of Sunday’s clash at Fir Park. Rangers eventually won 2-1, but were made to work for it after McKinstry’s late free-kick halved the deficit following goals from Malik Tillman and John Lundstram.
Motherwell boss Steven Hammell slammed the officials and insisted the challenge was dangerous enough to warrant a red and disciplinary chiefs have until close of play today to launch an action. Record Sport understands however, that Hampden beaks have studied the footage and are not expected to take any further action.
King is set for a key role in Rangers’ backline after injury to Connor Goldson, with Dundee at Ibrox in the Premier Sports Cup tomorrow night and Livingston and Aberdeen up in the Premiership either side of next week’s Champions League clash against Napoli in Italy. The 18-year-old was a star turn on Sunday again and is set for a run in the side – with a host of sides keeping tabs.
Leeds United and Newcastle are understood to be keen on King but Rangers see the youngster as a major asset for the short and longer term. Van Bronckhorst is a huge fan and while he has several injury woes, the boss insists his Ibrox stand-ins have the mental strength to target silverware.
King has impressed since stepping in and Ben Davies has emerged as a key player following an injury-hit start.
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