Rangers are battling to keep both Leon King and Nathan Patterson after European champions Liverpool began watching the pair, according to the Football Insider.

The website reports that scouts from the English club are keeping their eye on the two teenagers, who the Reds are targeting for their academy.

King is said to have rejected a new contract, with the 15-year-old also having been linked with the likes Manchester City, Chelsea and RB Leipzig.

The centre-back has already played for the Light Blues’ development squad and is currently an international at Under 17 level for Scotland.

Patterson is also vulnerable to being poached with the right-back’s current deal set to expire next summer. However, the Gers are confident that the 18-year-old will sign a new three-year contract.

The defender is highly rated by the staff at Auchenhowie and the club are desperate to keep hold of the player who could make the breakthrough into the senior ranks.