Rangers have a centre-back in their sights this January as the club looks to overcome its latest injury problems at the heart of the defence.
With Neraysho Kasanwirjo and John Souttar out for the foreseeable, Philippe Clement was forced to use utility man Dujon Sterling in the position against Dundee.
Leon Balogun and Robin Propper are the only other senior options in the squad and it’s clear Rangers are short in the position and need reinforcements.
But what does the situation say about the future of 20-year-old centre-back Leon King?
Leon King out of favour at Rangers
Rangers had reportedly held off stiff competition from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City to sign Leon King on his first professional contract.
Big things were expected of the teenager and when King made his Rangers debut as a 17-year-old there was major excitement amongst supporters about the kid’s talent.
But the last few seasons have not gone as planned, with King seemingly suffering from over exposure to the first-team during an injury crisis under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Having played in all of Rangers’ Champions League group stage matches in 2022/23, King was heavily involved in the competition’s worst ever performance.
It included a 7-1 battering at the hands of Liverpool where the team collapsed after Connor Goldson was subbed off.
It didn’t stop the likes of Manchester United being linked to King during that season.
Since then chances have been a premium for King, who has not played a solitary minute for the club this season and managed only two starts last campaign.
These were the final two games of the Scottish Premiership season.
Rangers star has been ‘patient’ for 12 months
That Rangers have not called on Leon King despite the injury problems is for many an ominous sign about the centre-back’s future at Ibrox.
There has been talk of remoulding King into a defensive midfielder but it is clear chances are not forthcoming at Ibrox at present.
That’s despite King feeling reassured after showdown talks with Philippe Clement in La Manga last January.
“Obviously it’s difficult when a new manager comes in because you don’t know what to expect,” said King in January.
“You don’t know if you’ll still be here, you don’t know what the script is really.
“But he was really good with me. He was open, he was honest and he told me he wanted me to stay and fight for my place.
“It’s just about how you adapt in these situations. Sometimes you will play, sometimes you won’t. It’s about taking your chance when they come.
“I’m still really young in terms of a football age so I just need to keep my head down and work as hard as I possibly can and push myself every day in training.
“It’s ultimately up to me to give the manager a decision to make on who he plays.
“Everyone’s talks went really good, me especially. I was really happy when I came out of the talk with the manager.
“He said to be patient and fight for my spot here. That’s what I’m going to do.
“It takes a lot of pressure off your shoulders and you can go and be yourself really. But it’s about keeping my head down and trying to get more appearances this season.”
Leon King isn’t the only Rangers academy graduate for whom the last few years haven’t gone to plan.
But unlike Alex Lowry and Adam Devine, there is a suggestion that Philippe Clement does see a future for Leon King at Ibrox.
The question is, with chances limited does the defender see a future for himself in Glasgow?
