Rangers look set to launch their January transfer window with the signing of an experienced, proven SPFL player.
Head coach Danny Röhl has spoken previously about the Ibrox club needing more players who understand the mentality and expectations required to succeed at Rangers, particularly the need for players who understand the landscape of Scottish football.
Speaking after his sides goalless draw with Falkirk at Ibrox last month he said the club needed “players that also understand what it means to play for Rangers.”
With Röhl confirming last month that Rangers would look to bring in upwards of four players this window, the first name on that list is ex-Hearts left back James Penrice.
Penrice, 27, has over 100 Scottish Premiership appearances with both the Jambos and Livingston – as well as experience in the lower leagues with Glasgow based Partick Thistle and East Fife.
The Livingston-born defender is noted for his attacking passes, accurate crossing and ability to read the game and intercept passes.
He left Hearts in the summer, being replaced with another ex-Thistle defender in Harry Milne, and joined Greek side AEK Athens for a fee believed to be around the £2m mark but Rangers are confident that new footballing advisor Stig Inge Bjørnebye and Röhl can get the deal done to return him to Scotland after only six-months away.
He has been a regular in Greece, making 22 appearances across the Greek Super League, Greek Cup and UEFA Conference League so far this campaign, and the Gers would need to at least match the fee paid for his services this summer to acquire him.
With 19-year-old Brentford loanee the club’s only recognised left-sided full back after the sales of Jefte, Ridvan Yilmaz and Robbie Fraser all in the space of a few weeks during the summer window – a failure on the part of the now departed duo of head coach Russell Martin and axed sporting director Kevin Thelwell – it is a position that needs strengthening.
Meghoma has not been poor by any stretch, but is inconsistent, as is the norm for a development player, and the ability to rotate in that area would be highly beneficial to both Röhl and the player.
It is unlikely that any move will be completed in time for Saturday afternoon’s Old Firm clash with Celtic at Celtic Park but Rangers are hoping to conclude their business early this month as they look to close the three point gap with the Hoops and the six point gap with league leaders Hearts over the coming weeks.