Leon King aims subtle dig at Russell Martin after Rangers exit with 'difficult' admission

Rangers have now confirmed the loan departure of Leon King, and the defender has now opened up on the circumstances of his exit.

King has not played under Russell Martin, but a move failed to materialise before the transfer deadline on September 1.

Rangers have announced that King has joined Ayr United on loan for the season, and the 21-year-old now likely has no future at Ibrox.

Following his move, King explained why pre-season was tough for him at Rangers, and hinted that he was unhappy with the way Martin treated him.

Leon King aims dig at Russell Martin

King has entered the final year of his contract at Rangers, and this loan move indicates that there is no future for him at Ibrox.

The defender did feature in pre-season, but was left out in the cold for the start of the season under Martin, as Rangers crashed out of the Champions League qualifying rounds.

• King has made 42 appearances for Rangers after coming through the academy.
• The 21-year-old will now play in the Scottish Championship.

It was not an easy time for the defender, and he has now spoken about his situation as he was cut out of the first team under the new manager.

"Being a footballer, I want to play as many games as possible. The last few weeks have been pretty difficult but I'm just concentrating on myself and I'm ready to go here," he stated after his move.

"I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had a Rangers but I have a job to do here now."

• Read more: Kevin Thelwell hits jackpot with Rangers signing who ‘cannot fail’ at Ibrox

Rangers need to clear deadwood from squad

It is clear that the Rangers squad is too bloated, with Nedim Bajrami and Kieran Dowell both left out of the Europa League registration list.

Having too many players in the squad will do no one any favours, as it means Rangers have to pay extra wages to squad members with no role to play in the team.

For these outcast players, it is clearly difficult being on the sidelines, and cutting their losses on them would be the best course of action for the club.

Players like King and Oscar Cortes can now play regularly elsewhere on loan, and the Colombian could even raise his transfer value more than he would have in the reserves.

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