One of Rangers biggest issues in recent years has seeing players drop down with injuries and the manager having his options reduced.
The current break has seen nine players leave to represent their countries and, so far, there doesn’t seem anything sinister for Philippe Clement to worry about.
What might be a concern, is not seeing Leon King named in Scotland Under-21’s starting XI or even on the bench for their 5-0 mauling of Malta.
Leon King in Rangers injury scare
The 20-year old made his Rangers debut when he was 16-years old under Steven Gerrard.
Linked with clubs like Liverpool and Chelsea, he was then thrust into the limelight in the most difficult circumstances as an injury ravaged squad struggled to keep their heads above water in the Champions League.
King played more minutes than any other teenager in the continent’s elite tournament that season.
His debut was at right-back, his longest run of games was at centre-half, however, for the B team and Scotland Under-21’s, King has been deployed as a defensive midfielder.
It won’t be easy for him to adapt but he has the skillset needed to be a success, his passing range was always what made him stand out when playing in defence.
There is yet to be anything official, it may have been Scott Gemmell just experimenting with younger players like Lennon Miller, however, the last thing King would want when he is a regular fixture in match day squads is having to sit on the sideline.
King happy to be Mr Versatile for Philippe Clement
Interviewed last season after Clement returned King to the first-team, the versatile youngster made it clear that he would play wherever the manager needed him:
“Modern-day football is about your ability to be versatile and play different positions.
“I’ve always looked to be able to play in different positions because ultimately it helps you get a game at the end of the day. So it’s great that I can fill in a lot of different roles if the manager needs me.
“I’ll play anywhere. Every young boy just wants to play football so if you’re not, it can be difficult. I just need to keep my head down but I’ll play anywhere the manager needs me to.”
There is nothing wrong with being a utility player.
King might not kick on and fulfill the potential that many thought he had as a ball playing centre-half, however, being able to cover several positions is a manager’s dream.
His homegrown and club-trained status also makes him a valuable member of Philippe Clement’s squad.
Hopefully, King’s absence is a tactical rather than physical one.
