Relieved Rangers will have Leon King back for this weekend's clash with Aberdeen despite going off injured for the second game running against Napoli.
The teenage defender has shot to prominence this season with Gio van Bronckhorst 's defensive options depleted. John Souttar and Filip Helander are out long-term and were joined on the crocked list by skipper Connor Goldson, meaning King and deputy central defender James Sands have racked up plenty of minutes.
Sands went into midfield against Napoli and that left King to partner Ben Davies against the Italians, who won 3-0 in Naples to end any residual hopes Rangers had of finishing third in their Champions League group. So there was plenty of anxiety when he was forced off in the final 15 minutes, leaving Borna Barisic to come off the bench and fill in at centre-back for the closing stages. With King also going off against Livingston days prior, many speculated he could be the latest Ibrox defender to face a spell on the sidelines.
Van Bronckhorst said ahead of the game his substitution against the Lions was down to illness. And when asked after the game about his confidtion, the Dutchman revealed it was simply cramp - and says he expects him back to face Aberdeen on Saturday.
He said: "Leon got cramp. He is 18 years old and playing almost every game at the highest level. I am very proud of the way he is performing at that age. It is only cramp and after a good rest between now and Saturday I think he will be okay."
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