Middlesbrough urged to avoid Rangers transfer deal - 'we need to be aiming higher' | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have been urged to avoid a move for young Rangers defender Leon King.

Middlesbrough may well have missed out on promotion this season after a controversial play-off semi-final defeat to Southampton, which concluded last week.

‘Spygate’ has dominated the headlines and a bitterness between ‘Boro and Saints may well remain for the foreseeable future but, on the pitch, the Teessiders were edged out - though the EFL must still make a decision as a hearing takes place, which could even result in Tonda Eckert's side being denied of a place at Wembley against Hull City this weekend.

Unable to convert in the first-leg at the Riverside, ‘Boro fell short with Southampton pinching an extra-time victory in the second-leg down on the south coast at St Mary’s.

Former Hammarby boss Kim Hellberg has done a good job in charge of ‘Boro and will be entrusted with ensuring that they remain on track and challenge for promotion once again next season.

Planning for next season has already seemingly begun, too, with the club having been linked with a move for Rangers youngster Leon King.

Middlesbrough urged to aim higher than Leon King

As they prepare for the second-tier once again, Middlesbrough have been linked with Rangers academy graduate Leon King.

However, a move for the 22-year-old would seemingly lack the ambition that some supporters want ahead of a competitive Championship campaign, as explained by FLW’s Middlesbrough Fan Pundit Liam Day.

Liam says: “I really think that ‘Boro should be aiming higher to be completely honest with you.

“You’re looking to get back to the Premier League and next year is going to be a really tough division.

“You’ve got Wolves coming down and they are going to be a decent team. Looking at West Ham, they’re going to sell half the team, reinvest and you’d think they’ll be up there and Burnley are always going to be up there.

“Then you’ve got the likes of Birmingham and Wrexham, also probably going to be spending big cash with other solid, solid Championship teams in there.

“You’d want to be aiming higher. You’re going to need real quality for next year. It’s an exciting division and, obviously, depending on how this court case turns out, it will be interesting to see what division we are in.

“If we are in the Championship then I really feel we need to be aiming higher. I’d like people going into the Prem, 25-year-olds around that age. Don’t get me wrong, youngsters are fine, especially on loan or something but, personally, with Leon King, we probably should avoid it.”

Leon King has fallen off the radar at Rangers

Versatile defender Leon King came through the academy at Rangers in the 2020/21 season, under the management of Steven Gerrard as the ‘Gers ended Celtic’s nine-year domination at the top of Scottish football.

After beginning to get more minutes of the next couple of campaigns, he has found himself on the periphery of things and out on loan at two different clubs in the last couple of years.

Having spent the second-half of last season out on loan at Queen’s Park, King joined Ayr United for this campaign and he has enjoyed a better and improved stint in the Scottish Championship.

Links to Middlesbrough are surprising as the 22-year-old fights his way back into what was a promising career – but whether or not it moves the needle for the Smoggies and their aspirations of promotion remains to be seen.