Rangers kid Leon King is already dreaming of flying the flag for Scotland.
But the Light Blues teen knows he’ll have to find a way to split up the Ibrox union of Connor Goldson and Ben Davies if he’s to force his way into Steve Clarke’s plans. Gers boss Michael Beale has decided Goldson and Davies are better together at the back for his side having started the pairing in 10 games straight before a calf complaint kept Goldson out of Sunday’s win over Partick Thistle.
But King is determined to change his manager’s mind – and hopefully catch Clarke’s eye while he’s at it. He said: “A call-up has got to be a realistic option for me but it’s up to me to force the manager here to play me in these games coming up. I’m only going to get a chance with the national team if I’m playing games here but I know it’s down to me to make the manager take that decision.”
King was a regular feature in the Rangers line-up before the World Cup break, racking up 13 domestic appearances and six in the Champions League as he filled in while Goldson and Davies were laid low by injury. But he hasn’t been able to force his way back in since a concussion in the November draw with St Mirren.
The 19-year-old said: “I’m back to full fitness. The last time I played in a competitive game was the St Mirren game and obviously I took a nasty one. I don’t remember much about it.”
:: King was talking as he helped the Rangers Youth Development Company present a £400,000 cheque to the Rangers Academy. The RYDC has now raised more than £10million for the club’s youth programme since 2002.
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