- Leon King faces an uncertain future after managerial sacking as Rangers contract nears end.
- Danilo nets a hat-trick for loan club after poor start in Netherlands.
- More international call ups for Rangers stars.
Rangers defender Leon King faces an uncertain future as his Ibrox contract nears expiration.
The 22-year-old’s deal is up at the end of the season, and he will not be offered an extension.
This will bring an end to a six-year spell with the Rangers first team.
King made his debut at just 16 under Steven Gerrard and collected a Premiership winners’ medal in 2021.
His Ibrox career fell away in subsequent years and he never fully recovered from his dismal 2022 Champions’ League campaign.
Now with Ayr United in the Championship on loan, King seemed certain earlier in the season to move permanently to Somerset Park.
However, with the Honest Men’s dismal recent form and now the sacking of manager Scott Brown and his assistant Steven Whittaker, the future is once again unclear.
King praised his former Old Firm rivals’ influence earlier in the campaign.
He said: “I’m loving it here because I’m playing every single minute and the gaffer is showing real faith in me.
“I would like to stay here and continue playing if I can and then kick on from there and see where it takes me.”
Brown earlier praised King’s attitude and ability when he first arrived in Ayrshire.
“He’s also a humble lad who’s relishing the chance of stepping down a level and playing games,” he explained.
“He’s got that hunger to play football and that’s what you want.”
With another ex-Ranger in Jamie Murphy assisting interim boss John Raskin in overseeing training at Ayr for the moment, there is still time for King to impress, but the club are keen on a new permanent boss to be in place sooner rather than later.
Danilo nets Holland hat-trick
Rangers forward Danilo netted his first goals for loan side NEC Nijmegen during the international break.
Bart Schreuder, brother of NEC’s head coach Dick, was in charge on the bench as part of his coaching training.
The top boss watched his January acquisition put on a show from the stands.
The striker has failed to score in his first five competitive matches back in the Netherlands and will be hoping this is the spark for a strong finish to the season.
Further Old Firm arrests
The match, which Rangers lost on penalties on 8 March, was marred by a pitch invasion at full time.
Celtic fans stormed the park to goad the home support who retaliated with a charge of their own.
Disgusting graffiti mocking the Ibrox disaster was also prevalent in the Broomloan Stand.
The two men, aged 25 and 46, were arrested and charged with culpable and reckless conduct. Both have been released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date.
These latest arrests bring the total number linked to the incident to 13, more than three weeks after the game.
Rangers quartet earn Scotland call ups
Rangers had three players in the Scotland men’s international squad for their fixtures this break.
Liam Kelly, John Souttar and Findlay Curtis were all included in Steve Clarke’s squad for matches with Japan and the Ivory Coast.
19-year-old Curtis made his debut against the Japanese after impressing on loan at Kilmarnock.
This has bee followed up by the inclusions of Laura Berry, Sophie Black, Lily Boyce and Mia McArthur in Gary Doctor’s Scotland Women’s U19 squad.
