LEON KING can't recall how his last game for Rangers ended. There are others that he would surely rather forget but none that he regrets.
This has been a season to remember for reasons both right and wrong for the defender but it is one that he could look back on as the most significant of his career some time from now.
The Champions League drubbings at the hands of Liverpool, Napoli and Ajax were tough to take for everyone at Ibrox and the series of domestic stumbles - which ultimately cost Giovanni van Bronckhorst his job - leave Rangers still nine points adrift of Celtic in the title race.
Drawing with St Mirren in the final fixture before the World Cup break proved to be the end for the Dutchman. That afternoon was also the last time that King pulled on his boots for his boyhood heroes.
A nasty collision with Curtis Main left King concussed. After being treated for several minutes, he was stretchered from the field and even now he has no recollection of the events that unfolded.
That moment has proven to be an unlucky and costly one for King. Rangers are now 13 matches into the Michael Beale era and King has yet to play a minute under the new boss.
Such a state of affairs could have knocked the confidence of the 19-year-old or made him rue his misfortune but he acknowledges the situation as Beale rebuilds Rangers with Connor Goldson and Ben Davies at the heart of the defence.
Given the pressure that he was under and the demands that were placed on him during the first half of the season, there is a train of thought which suggests that a period out of the team and out of the spotlight could be beneficial for King. His mindset and his mentality speaks volumes, though, now that he is in a real fight for a starting jersey.
"I’m back to full fitness," King said as he joined fellow academy graduate Adam Devine to hand over a £400,000 cheque from RYDC to the academy system that has given them the chance to realise their dreams of playing for Rangers. "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. I’m just really looking forward to getting back out there in front of the fans again.
"It’s been hard. It’s not been frustrating so much because they are brilliant lads off the pitch who help me as much as they possibly can.
"It’s just about learning as much from them as I possibly can on the training pitch.
"At times [it’s been nice to decompress] but those are the games I want to be playing in. I want to challenge myself at this club.
"Obviously in those games I made a few mistakes but it’s about how you bounce back from them."
That process is one that King takes seriously but not one that he takes to heart. He had little time to over-analyse during a hectic run of domestic and European fixtures and he emerged from those trials and tribulations with his burgeoning reputation enhanced.
He is at a club where excuses cannot be made or accepted but one where players have everything they require to improve themselves. King hasn't had the match minutes to do that on the park but the hard work has still been put in off it.
Extra sessions have been done in the gym and on the grass in recent weeks as the search for marginal gains has been stepped up. King is appreciative of the support and assistance of the staff at Auchenhowie and his individual endeavours are paying off as he attempts to earn his chance in Beale's side.
"The manager hasn’t said too much to me, to be honest," King said. "It’s down to me to give him a decision to make in terms of the match day squad and team.
"I just need to keep my head down and work extremely hard with the coaching staff. As far as I’m concerned, that jersey is still there to be won.
"There’s loads of competition in the squad. It’s up to me to push the centre-back lads to make them better while they are making me better.
"It’s always difficult being a young one and being involved in a game when you have to come off injured. That’s the last thing you want to happen.
"I’d say it’s been a difficult period for myself, trying to get back to full fitness and back into the squads. But I’m thriving and ready to go."
The challenge that King faces is unenviable but it is not one that is insurmountable and his prospects of ousting Goldson or Davies would be considerably diminished if he didn't have the faith in his own abilities.
Beale has repeatedly stressed the importance of having his two most experienced centre-backs fit and available following their respective injury issues and King has been forced to accept the situation and his place as back-up. Those that stand in his way still help his cause.
“Just to be myself," King said when asked what advice he had received from Goldson and Davies. "There’s no point going out onto the pitch trying to be somebody that you’re not.
“They are always on me every day to be the best version of myself and so is the manager.
“It’s amazing to have [Connor] back. He had a lengthy spell off the pitch but it’s great to have him back available because he’s such a massive asset to this club on and off the pitch.
“I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from him on a daily basis."
Beale spoke about Goldson and Davies providing opportunities for King to learn and develop when Rangers confirmed that the stopper had signed a new and extended contract in December.
The Scotland youth internationalist has long been touted and talked about as a player with a real chance of forging a career for himself at the highest levels of the game.
It is perhaps more difficult than ever these days to make the transition from rising star to first team stalwart but the relatively small success rate won't deter King from living his dream.
King said: “It does [motivate you]. You get a lot of outside noise saying there is not much coming through the academies, anywhere in Scotland really.
“But you can see a lot more players are coming through the ranks now and getting their opportunities at first-team level.
“I’m very open when it comes to stuff like [watching myself back]. The coaching staff will be honest with me and I’ll be honest with them."
*The Rangers Youth Development Company have taken their investment in the academy at Auchenhowie to more than £10million. Profits from RYDC products such as Rangers Lotto, The Union Jackpot half-time draw, Stadium Bricks and Scratchcards are donated to the academy. For full details on RYDC visit www.rydc.co.uk or call 0141 427 4914.
