Upward path for Penrice has McInnes eager for Rangers deal

Rangers boss Derek McInnes stresses his desire to sign James Penrice on a permanent deal, with the full-back's impact leading to a first Scotland call. Penrice set up the only goal in Rangers' Premier Sports Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen It's been a very good few days for James Penrice, with a first Scotland call-up following on from a first senior semi-final victory, so it is little wonder manager Derek McInnes is so keen to keep him at Rangers. The 27-year-old started like a train at Ibrox and has just kept going. A day after signing on loan from AEK Athens, in his first outing of the season, the left-back turned in a player-of-the-match display, scoring and providing an assist in the 5-1 demolition of St Mirren.

It was Rangers' first win of the campaign after Europa League elimination and a tally of one point from their opening two games in the Scottish Premiership. McInnes' side have not lost a domestic match since, stretching that run to 12 on Saturday as Penrice set up the only goal against Aberdeen at Hampden. With his low shot turned home by Ryan Naderi, Rangers go into December's League Cup final against Hibernian looking for their first silverware since 2023. Penrice will hope to add to an unlikely medal set of Scottish League One