Rangers Reignite Interest In This Summer Target: Why They Must Get The Deal Done | OneFootball

If a recent report from Record Sport is believed to be true, Rangers are expected to reignite interest in James Penrice in the January window. They were eyeing a summer swoop for the former Hearts left-back, who eventually joined the Greek Super League side AEK Athens for a fee of around £2m.

The 27-year-old Scotsman progressed through the academy ranks of Partick Thistle and went on to make more than 100 first-team appearances before leaving for Livingston on a Bosman ahead of the 2021-22 Premiership season. He spent a brief yet impressive loan stint with Livi in August 2017, but the second spell saw him flourish significantly under David Martindale.

Having joined Hearts for free in the summer of 2024 upon Livingston’s relegation, Penrice made an immediate impact, earning the club’s player of the year award. He also made it to the 2024-25 PFA Scotland Team of the Year, and Barry Ferguson, the then Rangers interim boss, was optimistic over bringing him to Govan at the closure of the previous campaign. Instead, he left Tynecastle for Athens amid the ownership changes as well as managerial and backroom overhaul at Ibrox.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 19: James Penrice of Hearts looks dejected after the team’s 2-1 defeat after the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Semi Final match between Hearts and Aberdeen at Hampden Park on April 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Why Rangers Should Bring Him In

Yet the management kept close tabs on their summer target, making him high on the wishlist. They let Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz depart in favour of Palmeiras and Besiktas, but failed to restore the parity, with the 19-year-old Jayden Meghoma being the only designated option available for selection. Also, it remains unclear as of now whether the club would succeed in converting his season-long loan from Brentford into a permanent transfer.

Although the teenager has impressed on the left-hand flank, Danny Rohl needs to be backed this month to stay relevant in the title hunt. Max Aarons and Derek Cornelius are viewed as alternatives; however, both are makeshifts who have so far failed to secure a regular role due to their respective form and fitness reasons.

Penrice has featured 24 times for the Double-Headed Eagle and shown his composure both in defence and attack. His experience in Scottish football should see him make an immediate impact and boost the Light Blues’ title hopes, dethroning his former club.

Celtic look unstable under Wilfried Nancy, who is struggling to put his philosophy and brand of play into practice, and a win in the upcoming Old Firm clash could see Rangers draw level with their bitter rivals in the points tally. January would be crucial for the title contenders, as the business done this month might decide the silverware.