NafisaRangers have wasted little time making another move in the transfer market, with Derek McInnes refusing to sit back and wait after identifying an important weakness in his squad.
The Ibrox side have now completed the signing of James Penrice from AEK Athens, with the Scottish defender arriving on a season-long loan deal that includes an option to make the transfer permanent.
The move has been completed after Penrice passed his medical and signed the necessary paperwork, bringing an end to Rangers’ pursuit of the 27-year-old.
And while the transfer will be viewed as an important piece of business for McInnes, it is the manner in which Rangers have moved quickly that could frustrate their rivals across Glasgow.
Rangers complete James Penrice deal
Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Rangers’ agreement with AEK Athens for Penrice has now been completed.
The defender has undergone his medical, completed the formalities and signed his contract, meaning the transfer is now done.
Penrice was pictured with his agent following the completion of the deal, with the player’s representatives also confirming that everything had been finalised.
Rangers have secured him on loan from AEK Athens with an option to buy, giving McInnes the opportunity to have the defender at Ibrox for the season before deciding whether to make the move permanent.
The transfer comes at an important time for Rangers, who have been searching for reinforcements at left-back.
McInnes refuses to mess around
The move for Penrice underlines just how quickly McInnes is attempting to address the problems within his squad.
Tuur Rommens’ injury has left Rangers short of options in the position, while the manager has made it clear that he wants more competition and depth across his squad.
Rather than allowing the situation to drag on, Rangers have moved to bring in a player who already understands Scottish football.
Penrice spent last season with AEK Athens after leaving Hearts, where he had established himself as one of the more reliable attacking full-backs in the Scottish game.
That experience could prove particularly valuable for Rangers.
He knows the league, understands the intensity surrounding the Old Firm and will not need to learn Scottish football from scratch.
Celtic fans may not be happy
Interestingly, Celtic had also shown an interest in Penrice earlier in the summer.
The Hoops made an initial enquiry regarding the defender, although their interest never progressed into a formal offer.
Rangers have now stepped in and completed the deal, meaning Penrice will be heading to Ibrox rather than Parkhead.
That could make the move particularly frustrating for Celtic supporters, especially given the importance of strengthening the full-back positions during the transfer window.
For Rangers, meanwhile, the focus will be entirely on what Penrice can deliver.
The loan arrangement gives McInnes some protection, allowing him to see whether the defender can rediscover the form that made him such an attractive player during his time at Hearts.
If he succeeds, Rangers will have the option to turn the temporary move into a permanent one.
For now, though, the immediate task is clear.
James Penrice is a Rangers player, the medical is done, the paperwork is signed — and Derek McInnes has another piece of his squad in place.
Nafisa
