Rangers defender Leon King has been speaking to the media ahead of the Premiership clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Here is everything he had to say.

Congratulations on your new deal, can you sum up what it means to you?

Everything really. I’ve been a Rangers fan my whole entire life and so are my whole family so it’s amazing I can continue my journey here.

How key was it that you can get so much playing time in the first team?

It’s still very early and I just need to keep my head down and keep my feet firmly planted on the ground. I’ve got a great support bubble around me and this football club will help me to do that.

How have the last two weeks been with the new manager?

It’s been great. I’ve really enjoyed it with all the new coaching staff. It’s brought a new burst of life and energy into the training sessions and the competitive edge in training is second to none now.

What’s been the biggest difference in training since the manager and his staff came in?

Everybody needs to show the manager what they can do and that’s only going to lead to more intensity in training and being more competitive.

How has it changed with him coming back as a manager from when he was a coach?

I only really had him for a brief spell when he was here as a coach under Steven so I couldn’t really tell you.

Aside from training, in the games does his approach differ much from Gio?

It’s still really early on and we’ve not had much time to change a lot of the things that we’re wanting to. Time will only tell in that sense.

Do you expect there will be changes in terms of the approach?

That will be up to the manager and his coaching staff.

That’s three contracts in three years now, do you remember your first couple of sessions with Michael Beale and Steven Gerrard?

To be honest, not really because it was quite some time ago now. I was very nervous but the lads that were in the squad and the coaching staff then helped with that.

Do you feel like a Rangers player now?

I do, yeah. I feel as if I’m part of the team now. I feel as if I can help the young lads when they come in as well.

Rangers Review: (Image: NQ)

How big an influence has Connor Goldson been on you?

He’s been great. It’s obviously been a tough time for him with not being on the pitch and helping the team out. Now that he’s back hopefully he can help us and especially help me in the back four.

How much has your role changed under the new manager?

Not massively. I missed the league game due to illness. But it’s not changed much. It’s just about showing the manager that I can give to the team and help the players around me.

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What are you expecting from Aberdeen?

To be honest, I’m just solely focused on us, that’s how training’s been this week. If we go there and play the way we can play then I’m sure we can handle that.

There seems to be a big emphasis on focusing on yourselves as opposed to the opposition, has that changed a little bit since the new manager has come in?

Not massively, no. I think you should always be solely focused on yourself. If you know you can play in a certain way and play well on that day then you know you can get the job done.

You were linked with a few big clubs down south, was Rangers always where your head was at?

I don’t really pay attention to much that goes on outside of these gates. I’m solely focused on what goes on inside these four walls.