Rangers veteran Jon McLaughlin was handed a rare appearance last night as the Gers cruised to a 3-0 win over Livingston and the veteran shot-stopper was joined by another unfamiliar face towards the end of the Premiership clash as Leon King was handed his league debut.
King replaced Joe Aribo in the makeshift Rangers defence as Steven Gerrard’s side moved to within 90 minutes of an invincible season and McLaughlin was delighted to see the young defender given a chance to impress in the final stages in West Lothian.
McLaughlin was also involved when King made his senior debut against Falkirk in the League Cup earlier this season and is “sure” the experience will help him going into the new campaign.
“When it happens like that, at that stage of the game, you have just got to try and make him feel as comfortable as possible quickly, get him into the game, and for him, it was, I’m sure, great to get out there and just do that job for the last 10-15 minutes,” McLaughlin told Rangers TV.
“But as a goalkeeper, and for the senior lads, it is great to see the young boys coming through and getting their chance and being able to bed them in and I am sure it is great experience for them at this stage going forward into future seasons.”
With Fil Helander, Leon Balogun, Niko Katic, Borna Barisic, George Edmundson, Nathan Patterson and Calvin Bassey all unavailable for the Light Blues, King could also find himself getting some minutes against Aberdeen this weekend in the final game of the season.
While the teenager won’t qualify for a league winner’s medal, it will be a fantastic experience for him to be involved with the first-team as they get presented with the Scottish Premiership trophy.
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