King to ask Rodgers for pointers on Ibrox move
ANDY KING admits he will seek advice from Brendan Rodgers to help him settle into life at Rangers. The 30-year-old midfielder has left Rodgers’ squad at Leicester City to pursue more first-team football through a season-long loan at Ibrox. King has yet to specifically discuss his switch north with the former Celtic manager, but intends to pick his brains about both Scottish football and living within the Old Firm goldfish bowl. ‘I haven’t spoken to him directly, to be honest, because it all happened so quickly and I have been liaising with my agent and the director of football,’ said King, whose signing was confirmed after he watched Thursday night’s 3-1 win over FC Midtjylland. ‘I haven’t had a conversation with him yet
but I will call him. I think it would be silly of me not to call someone who has been so successful in Scottish football. ‘Also to find out a bit about life in Glasgow and where the good spots are. I think he has got a lot to offer me in terms of how I can adapt to the game up here and the lifestyle as well.’ Asked if Rodgers might be unwilling to offer too much insight if it ultimately helped Rangers in their bid to stop Celtic clinching a ninth
successive title, King replied: ‘He might not, but me and him had a really good relationship at Leicester and I think he appreciates what I have done down there.’ King helped deliver the Premier League title for the Foxes in 2016. ‘I wish him all the best as Leicester manager and, as far as I am concerned, we have got a really good relationship and I am sure he will be happy to help,’ he added. The Wales international feels ready to take part in tomorrow’s Betfred Cup tie
against East Fife if selected and is eager to get back into competitive action. King appreciates the honest way Rodgers has dealt with him since taking over at Leicester following his dramatic exit from Celtic in February. ‘I had a conversation with Brendan at Leicester and he said he thought I should go and play regular games after my injury last season, which is fair enough,’ said King. ‘He was very straightforward with me and I appreciated that. After that, it was a case of
where I had to go next for the next stage of my career, really. ‘Once my agent came back and this was an option, this was the only place I wanted to come.’ Rodgers claimed he had no say in King moving to Ibrox, saying: ‘A few weeks ago, I spoke to Andy and told him he won’t feature in my 25 (man squad for the Premier League). ‘I said: “I respect you”, which he knows, “so I want to give you and your representatives and the club a chance to organise a move”. That was the last time I spoke to Andy on a move.’