McInnes keen to make Penrice's Rangers loan permanent after Scotland call-up
Rangers manager Derek McInnes says he wants to secure James Penrice on a permanent deal after the loan full-back's strong start at Ibrox earned him a first Scotland call-up.
James Penrice has enjoyed a memorable run of days, earning his first Scotland call-up shortly after helping Rangers reach a senior semi-final. Manager Derek McInnes has made clear he would like to convert the left-back's loan from AEK Athens into a permanent move.
Penrice, 27, made an immediate impact after arriving on loan, delivering a player-of-the-match display with a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win over St Mirren — Rangers' first victory of the campaign following Europa League elimination and a slow start in the Scottish Premiership. McInnes' side have not lost a domestic match since, a run extended to 12 games on Saturday when Penrice set up the only goal against Aberdeen at Hampden, sending Rangers into December's League Cup final against Hibernian.
McInnes said the ideal outcome was a permanent deal but that a loan was the best route at the time, adding that there is goodwill on all sides and an awareness of what a permanent move would require. The loan reportedly includes an option to buy, and reports from Athens suggest AEK may seek to renegotiate given Penrice's form. Other reports put the agreed fee at a combined £1.2m.
Beyond his usual left-back role, McInnes used Penrice in midfield against Celtic in the League Cup, a tactic that helped Rangers to a 3-0 win, with the same starting XI then winning 1-0 at Celtic Park. McInnes praised Penrice's quality, energy and appetite to win, saying both he and supporters trust the player, and that fans have taken to him because of his performances.
Penrice, who previously played for Partick Thistle, Livingston and Heart of Midlothian before joining AEK in July 2025, described his Scotland selection as a source of pride and a strange feeling, saying he never imagined a call-up earlier in his career. McInnes said the recognition was no real surprise given his form, while Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli called the selection logical. Penrice faces stiff competition at left-back, with Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Josh Doig among the options, and Robertson could surpass Sir Kenny Dalglish's 102-cap record if he plays in both Nations League games against North Macedonia and Switzerland.
Image: SNS / BBC Sport
