Rangers: Leon King can be Leon Balogun’s heir at Ibrox | OneFootball

Rangers manager Gio van Bronckhorst has a host of difficult decisions to make in regards to the make-up of his Ibrox squad heading into next season.

The Gers head coach has a number of players whose deals expire this summer and he will need to decide whether or not he wants to keep them around for another year.

Steven Davis, Scott Arfield, Connor Goldson, Allan McGregor and Leon Balogun are all set to become free agents as it stands and it will be interesting to see who he does, and doesn’t, wield the axe with.

Will they all remain at Ibrox?

Yes

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No

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Balogun 2.0

Rangers may already have a replacement for one of those players – Balogun – at the club and their presence could allow van Bronckhorst to sanction the Nigerian’s exit knowing that he has someone in the building.

Calvin Bassey has enjoyed a stint at centre-back under the Dutch head coach, but forget him for now as he should be the long-term left-back option at Ibrox.

FFC published an article explaining why Borna Barisic should be moved on in the summer and this would free up Bassey to be a regular fixture at left-back, allowing another central defender to step in.

That centre-back should be 18-year-old academy product Leon King. He has already played four times for the first team at his young age and he can be the next Balogun by replacing him in the summer if van Bronckhorst looks to axe him from the squad.

Gers youth coach Steven Smith hailed his “massive presence” and Craig Mulholland, who is the Head of the Academy, recently claimed that he is at an “exciting” stage of his career as the club look to help him make the step up to senior football.

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This, along with his involvement in the senior team in his teens, suggests that he has a high ceiling of potential and that is why van Bronckhorst must unleash him in the Premiership next season. If he is able to make the step up to playing in the first-team on a regular basis then he will be able to save Ross Wilson by being Balogun’s direct replacement at Ibrox.

Instead of needing to splash millions in the transfer market on a player to come in for the Nigerian international, King can slot straight in and fill the gap. The 18-year-old has caught the eye enough at youth level to earn himself senior opportunities and now it is time to take the next leap…