With the Rangers first team squad ravaged by long-term injuries, it has led to a premature opportunity for teenage defender Leon King.

The 18-year-old has been thrust into the spotlight and challenged with taking on some of the most devastating forwards in the game. He's had to learn on the job with a catalogue of harsh lessons dished out in the Champions League while he is currently recovering from a concussion sustained in the draw with St Mirren before the World Cup break.

One man who knows all about being thrown in at the deep end says King's early exposure to senior football can only benefit both club and player.

Thirty years ago today Steven Pressley was thrust into the Ibrox cauldron on a sizzling European night as Marseille came to town in what was the first-ever Champions League fixture card.

An injury to captain Richard Gough meant Walter Smith had to call upon the 19-year-old to face the likes of Alen Boksic, Rudi Voller and Abedi Pele.

Trailing 1-0 at the time, Pressley was at fault for the French champions’ second goal after sliding in and laying the ball on a plate for German World Cup winner Voller to tap into an empty net.

However, it was a moment the young defender refused to let affect his game as he helped Smith’s side stage an incredible comeback to draw 2-2 thanks to headed goals from Gary McSwegan and Mark Hateley.

Looking back, Pressley sees similarities with King’s introduction on the biggest stage of the game this season. “I think the first thing to mention is that in football today we are so quick to judge players,” he said. “There is no real perspective on players' positions for development. For me, in my current role as Head of Individual Development at Brentford, that is what I look at. That is what I study and the reality is that in football, there are a number of key positions where the player develops later and yet, we’re very quick and almost judge immediately. Centre back is one of those positions.

“The number 6 and the big number 9s are also positions where I would say players won't hit their peak until their mid to late 20s. They are very much learning the game.'

“Being a young centre-back, you're relying on not just understanding the game but your physical attributes when you're nowhere near the full physical development stage. There are many facets to being a top defender but at 18 and 19, you're nowhere near that which is the first thing everyone must consider. Taking that into consideration, I think the boy has handled the occasions reasonably well and I think Rangers should be encouraged by that.

“He has not done himself any harm with the opponents he's been up against, he can only learn from these sorts of experiences against the top players in Europe. He will become a better player for it, trust me. The only way these young players can improve is by being stretched all the time and rested.

“To be honest, for King, you couldn't get a better test than what he has had in the last couple of months. The great thing is that he has played against two of Europe’s top teams with the best strikers in the world so the reality is that he’s not going to face any better in the future. He has done absolutely fine whilst he is still very early in his development.

“I think the fortunate aspect about my time at Rangers was the amount of really good pros, players you could lean on for real support, they were there for you. I made my debut coming on at half-time against Marseille, which is different because it was a last-minute substitution. There was a doubt with Richard Gough going out into the second half and then a decision was made just before the restart so, for me, it was a case of tracksuit off, get the strip on and go play. There wasn't time to mull over the prospects of the game.

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“I was obviously at fault for the second goal but you had Andy Goram coming out taking responsibility for the goals and you had big players at the time like John Brown and Ian Ferguson who would try to take the pressure away from the younger ones. They were strong personalities and good leaders, to support me and help me through the difficult times.

“When you're a young player, I think there's an element of fearlessness. I think that when you're exposed to first-team football the reality is that the kind of bumps and bruises that you accumulate along the way aren't there yet. There is a degree of that freshness in your performance so regardless of your opponent you are not fazed by it.

“It's funny because I was lauded for my performance from many quarters. I think after making the mistake, I didn't allow it to affect me. I was able to bounce back and give a reasonably assured performance.”

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