LEON King has brushed aside speculation about his future and stressed that he is fully focused on continuing to play well for his boyhood heroes Rangers.
King has been linked with Premier League clubs down south – including Manchester United – in recent weeks as a result of his mature displays at the back for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side.
However, the 18-year-old centre half, who has been handed his chance because of injuries to Filip Helander, Connor Goldson and John Souttar, is only interested in retaining his first team place.
“I’ve supported Rangers all my life, so to pull the jersey on and play in front of the fans at Ibrox is amazing,” he said. “It’s something that I’ve always dreamed of. I hope it continues.
“It is amazing. To get the chance at such a big football club, it is surreal for me. And obviously my family are very proud as well.
“It is a massive opportunity. But it is up to me to take that opportunity. Obviously the boss has shown he can play players in different positions as well so it is up to me to grasp the opportunity with both hands.
“I only really see this as the start. Being a young one and getting flung into the first team at such a young age, and seeing the likes of Alex (Lowry) and Charlie (McCann) getting their chance as well, and being a Rangers fan as well it is amazing.”
King’s current deal with Rangers expires at the end of next season and he admitted that he would like to remain at the club he supported as a boy for as long as possible.
“To be honest, I just concentrate on the job I have here,” he said. “I do not pay attention to anything that is outside these gates and four walls.
“Again, I’d like to stay at Rangers for as long as possible. But that’s up to the folk off the pitch. I have representatives that deal with that.”
King stressed he had been unaffected by Motherwell manager Stevie Hammell and winger Stuart McKinstry saying that he should have been sent off for a last man challenge at Fir Park on Sunday.
“I’m always going to be calm,” he said. “That’s the way I play and that’s the way I am off the pitch too.
“I’ve been like that for pretty much my whole life, so I’m not going to change to now just because I’ve been flung into the deep end.
“I just concentrate on the job I’ve got here, coming into training every day and just looking to make myself better while also, obviously, trying to help my team mates.
“You always get attention off the pitch as well. But there’s such great guys at the club that they’ll keep your head down and keep you focused and take your mind off stuff like that.”
Leon King was promoting Premier Sports live and exclusive coverage of Rangers v Dundee tonight from 8.15pm. Premier Sports is available from £9.99 per month and is available on the following platforms – Sky, Virgin, Amazon Prime and the Premier Player.
