Rangers Set to Complete Signing of James Penrice From Greece

Thursday evening saw the Derek McInnes era go from bad to worse, as Rangers drew 1-1 at home to Jagielliona in the second leg of their Europa League qualifying tie, being knocked out 3-2 on aggregate by the team who finished third in Poland last season. 

It really feels like Derek McInnes is on borrowed time already. One thing in his defence, however, is the squad really is pony. On top of that, there has been some rotten luck with injuries. Youssef Chermiti suffered an ACL injury last weekend, and Tuur Rommens is set to be out for several weeks with an injury of his own. 

Therefore, some fans feel that McInnes needs to be given a few signings in the transfer market before fully judging him and his performance so far, even if he could be doing better in any case. 

Well, it looks like a start has at least been made on that front. Indeed so, as just hours after the 1-1 draw on Thursday, high profile Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Rangers are set to sign left-back James Penrice on loan from Greek side AEK Athens on a loan deal with an option to buy. He says the player will undergo his medical on Friday (the 14th of August). 

Interesting signing. Penrice, a Scottish academy graduate of Partick Thistle, left Hearts for AEK Athens in the summer of 2025. Last season, he played 20 times in the league, starting 16 of those, as AEK won the league title for the first time in three years, and for just the third time since 1994. 

However, game time was not too easy to come by, and he was last seen as an unused sub as they lost the Greek Super Cup final on penalties yesterday. He has not played a competitive game since the 13th of May, so he could be a little rusty, at least to begin with. 

Nevertheless, Rangers desperately need a player to play at left-back, so to get a body in the building is a plus regardless. Due to the situation at full back, McInnes was forced to use a wing back formation with wing backs on Thursday evening, which is far from ideal all round. 

Hopefully there are a number of signings to follow Penrice through the door, or this season will just be a write off, if it isn't already. Let's see.