The Athletic claim on their deadline-day blog (31/01, 10.19AM) that Rangers have rejected bids for defender Leon King with the Ibrox talent attracting lots of interest from Scottish and English clubs ahead of the deadline on Tuesday night.
King, 19, was used regularly at the start of the season. Rangers had a number of injuries in the middle of the defence. Connor Goldson, Filip Helander, John Souttar and Ben Davies were all sidelined with problems at one point at Ibrox.
It has seen Scotland U21 star King clock up 21 appearances for the Gers this season. But now, Goldson and Davies are back and combining in the middle. Souttar is close to a return. It has seen King fail to play under boss Michael Beale.
That is despite King signing a new deal. The defender is now attracting interest from both Scottish clubs this month, as well as clubs down south – though the details of those sides are unnamed. But Rangers have rejected King leaving.
Rangers have rejected bids for King from Scottish and English clubs
It is unfortunate for King but Rangers have little choice. While Goldson and Davies are fit, the Gers lack cover in the middle of the defence. That has seen King remain an unused substitute in nine of Beale’s 10 matches as manager.
King needs game time having broken into the side. He now has a taste for first-team football, playing 27 times for the Gers. But, Rangers cannot afford to give him that – or let him go on loan. Helander and Souttar remain injured.
While those two players are missing, then King has to stay to provide cover. Even when they are back, King is still important because the duo are injury prone. Having the four options is not enough – King is important Ibrox cover.
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