Rangers wonderkid Leon King knows it’s on him to break into the Scotland squad amid links to the Premier League and the likes of Man United and Newcastle United.
Speaking to the press as he prepares to return to the Rangers squad from injury, the young centre-back is determined to make an impact at Ibrox.
First the kid has Connor Goldson and Ben Davies in his sights, with Leon King determined to dislodge the club’s two first choice centre-backs from the heart of the Rangers defence.
But after that Scotland is calling for Leon King who is determined to do enough to force his way into Steve Clarke’s plans, even at the tender age of 19.
“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,” said Leon King.
“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.
“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.”
Leon King eyes Rangers and Scotland spot
Leon King’s comments might also serve as a warning shot to Rangers, with links to Man United and Newcastle United certainly fresh in the memory.
These originate from Fabrizio Romano, the much-talked about transfer journalist who isn’t generally one to tell fibs.
If Leon King can’t get that opportunity at Rangers perhaps the chance will come elsewhere, with competition returning to these positions and the kid shaken up by the last few months in Scotland.
The 19-year-old defender has had some season by anyone’s standards, with the kid forced to deputise at centre-back amid a devastating run of injuries which seen the club’s four first choice options sidelined.
It led to Leon King being the only recognised defender at the heart of the club’s defence as they stared down a Champions League Group A of Death containing Liverpool, Ajax and Napoli.
It was a perfect storm for Rangers who wound up with the worst record in group stage history and several bloody noses in a devastating period of the season.
Domestically it has cost the club big too.
But those experiences are a lot for a 19-year-old to take and where young Scotland U21 star Leon King goes next could depend on how he bounces back from such a monumentally stressful moment.
Rangers fans, their own worst enemies at time, didn’t help as even Leon King – his inexperience often excusing him from criticism – started to get it from both barrels.
Since Michael Beale has come into the club, Leon King has often been protected, but now all eyes are on how the club’s star boy from the Academy bounces back from those emotionally scarring nights in Europe.
Meanwhile, here’s why Rangers fans are once again discussing Dave King.