James Penrice is set for a Glasgow medical today as Rangers hijack the left-back’s move north — with an injury crisis making the deal all the more urgent
Rangers are on the verge of completing a loan swoop for James Penrice from AEK Athens, with an option to buy, after manager Derek McInnes took matters into his own hands to get the deal over the line, TEAMtalk understands.
A Deal Sealed by a Direct Call
This wasn’t a transfer that came together through agents and intermediaries — it came together because McInnes picked up the phone. The Rangers boss personally contacted Penrice to lay out his vision for the player and sell him on the project at Ibrox, and within 48 hours, Rangers had turned interest into agreed terms. The 27-year-old Scot is scheduled for a medical in Glasgow later today.
Snatched From Under Celtic’s Nose
The move carries an extra edge given who Rangers have beaten to it. Celtic had been the frontrunners for Penrice’s signature and were long considered his most likely destination — but their interest cooled in recent days, and Rangers pounced decisively the moment the door opened.
Why Rangers Move Now
The timing isn’t a coincidence. Rangers have been hunting for left-back cover after Tuur Rommens suffered a hamstring injury expected to keep him sidelined for up to eight weeks — a blow that turned a long-term admiration into an urgent priority.
The Hearts Connection
McInnes isn’t taking a punt on an unknown quantity. The two worked together briefly at Hearts before Penrice’s £2 million move to AEK Athens last summer, where he went on to win the Greek Super League title in his debut season. During his time in Gorgie, Penrice earned a reputation as one of the Scottish game’s most reliable full-backs, capped off with a place in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year — form that began at Partick Thistle and continued through a spell at Livingston.
Penrice becomes the latest in a growing list of former Hearts players McInnes has brought to Ibrox this summer, reinforcing a pipeline the Rangers boss clearly trusts.
What’s Next
All that stands between Penrice and Ibrox now is a routine medical. Should it go smoothly, he’ll add immediate depth and Premier League-tested quality to Rangers’ backline — with the option-to-buy clause giving the club long-term flexibility if the loan spell goes to plan. For a Rangers side still searching for their first win of the season, reinforcements can’t come soon enough.
