Rangers B team took on Briedablik a team unlikely to be familiar to most but a strong line up from the home team saw Leon King line up in an unfamiliar role.
The Icelandic champions are keeping themselves ticking over with Europa Conference League football to play in the coming weeks having dropped down from the Champions League qualifiers.
A strong team from Rangers would have given Philippe Clement the chance to have a look at a few fringe players, academy regulars and those looking to get back to full fitness with Leon King getting some much-needed game time in an unfamiliar role.
Rangers give Leon King chance to diversify
The starting XI featured a full team that have all played for the first-team.
Some of the B team players might only have a few appearances but they are the strongest of the current crop and take part in senior training on a regular basis.
With Leon Balogun and Ben Davies forming a strong pairing in front of Robby McCrorie, seeing Leon King operating as a defensive midfielder was a surprise – it didn’t quite go to plan with Briedablik 3-1 up at half-time.
With competition fierce at centre-half and right-back, it may be that the Rangers coaches are considering a move for the 19-year old.
The former Aston Villa and Manchester United target played more minutes in the Champions League group stages than any other teenager last season.
It was as tough an introduction to regular game time as he could have been given, especially alongside James Sands.
Rangers do have a shortage of natural defensive midfielders but Leon King’s skill set suits the role.
He might not have the physicality needed yet to be a senior centre-half but he would for the middle of the park.
King’s biggest strength is his passing and being able to use both feet means that he can move the ball quickly off either side.
Despite being exposed at times last season, in a stronger XI, Leon King has shown that he can have a bright future at Rangers but his latest inclusion has thrown doubts as to where that might be.
