Andrew Cavenagh already goes back on Rangers promise as Leon King suggests he wasn’t wanted
Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises clearly don’t have a pro-Scottish bias at Rangers when it comes to recruitment.
Leon King is the perfect example of the type of player the Gers could potentially have had around their squad for the 2026-27 campaign, but his contract has been allowed to expire.
The 22-year-old centre-back has suggested that the Light Blues have decided to go in a different direction, leading to his exit.
Cavenagh recently claimed the Ibrox hierarchy would prefer homegrown talents, but the situation with the Scotland Under-21 international seemingly shows a different strategy.
Danny Rohl doesn’t have King in his plans for next season, despite the defender believing he could play a role for the Glaswegian outfit, although he has vowed to return one day.
🚨 RANGERS TRANSFER UPDATE 🚨
The latest breaking news on signings, departures, and Danny Röhl’s primary targets.
Leon King’s Rangers story hasn’t ended
Speaking to the Daily Record on 20 May, King said, “Does it feel like I’ve been written off at Rangers too soon or too easily? On the outside, people probably have done that. But hopefully in the future, I’ll get back to Rangers because it’s the club I support. This is more of a see-you-later than a goodbye in my eyes.
“I feel I could go into the Rangers squad just now and play. I fully back myself, 100 per cent. I think I could be a starter most weeks. They’ve got some good players, but I’d back myself now more than I ever have. The club are going a different way and I can’t grumble. That’s their decision and I’ll go elsewhere to play.”
King was considered one of the most promising prospects in Auchenhowie at one point, but his first-team opportunities may have come too soon.
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Minutes played |
| William Hill Championship | 27 | 2 | 2247 |
| Scottish Challenge Cup | 4 | 0 | 360 |
| Scottish Gas Scottish Cup | 2 | 0 | 146 |
The centre-back’s lack of experience and maturity was evident whenever he played for the Gers and the loan move to Ayr United was the perfect decision.
At Somerset Park, the Scottish youngster became a key player for the William Hill Championship side’s push for promotion.
It looked like a no-brainer for the Glaswegian outfit to extend the defender’s contract after his impressive stint in Ayr, but it feels like they have other plans for their backline.
Danny Rohl clearly needs Leon King at Ibrox
Rangers will have Emmanuel Fernandez and John Souttar as the only two natural options at centre-back once Derek Cornelius and Nasser Djiga return to their parent clubs.
The Gers are in evident need of multiple defensive reinforcements, yet they couldn’t find a place for King in the squad.
Hearts have been linked with the young defender after his performances for Ayr and it seems baffling that the Light Blues have just decided to let him leave as a free agent.
Cavenagh and the 49ers need to get recruitment at the Govan side spot on, as fans have grown frustrated with most of their business over the last two transfer windows.
Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Rangers Insider Access
Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.