Leon King’s performance certainly raised a few eyebrows yesterday.

While the young defender will have tougher days at the office than facing an impotent St Mirren side, nevertheless he looked assured, comfortable, and made no errors.

Let’s not forget he’s only 18 and this was really his first major outing for the senior side, but rather than bring Leon Balogun on, Giovanni van Bronckhorst entrusted a vital SPL match to the youngster, in a move which made good on the boss’s promises to field youngsters where he can.

King acquitted himself well, with 3 clearances, a solid 88% passing and well over 50% of his long ball passing attempts hitting their target.

He didn’t have to do a lot, true, but he was promising.

And that’s nice to see.

After the success of Nathan Patterson, the rise of another Auchenhowie graduate starting to eke his way into the first team is good to witness.

Will he make it at the Famous?

Time will tell.

The club put out all the stops to ensure he stayed, and stayed he has. But he will want to know this wasn’t a one off. That he will have other chances to play for the seniors.

Because there’s no point impressing once and never being seen again.

Hopefully King will indeed take up his throne for the first team before too long.