Alan Hutton has described Rangers youngster Leon King as a 'big Rolls Royce' and reckons he is more than capable of pushing for a starting spot at Ibrox.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst handed the 18-year-old a new deal that runs until 2024. He is highly-rated by the Ibrox hierarchy and has been a regular in the first-team set-up. He picked up some top team appearances last season and Hutton reckons he has all the attributes to break through and stamp his authority on the Rangers backline.
Connor Goldson has been an ever-present since his arrival in Govan and after penning a new four-year deal in a major pre-season boost to the Light Blues he will continue as the mainstay at the heart of the defence. John Souttar has arrived this summer after penning a pre-contract agreement from Hearts earlier this year and is expected to start alongside the former Brighton man.
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Filip Helander and Nikola Katic are the other central defensive options at the club following Leon Balogun's Ibrox exit, but ex-Ibrox man Hutton - who is a huge fan of the youngster - wants him to stamp his authority on the team and challenge for a starting spot.
He reckons King has all the attributes in his locker needed in a modern-day centre-back.
Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton said: “I’m interested to see Leon King this year.”
“I think when I did watch him last season, he was like a big Rolls Royce, very elegant on the ball. He came out, kept possession and looked very comfortable for someone of such a young age.
“With the likes of [Leon] Balogun leaving, Goldson signing a new contract, we know Souttar’s coming in, you need that competition for places to drive you on.
“So I’d like to see him try and break through, stamp his authority in this team, in his own way. I think he’s got all the potential and he ticks all the boxes for a modern-day centre-back.“
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