Rangers manager Derek McInnes has expressed a strong desire to secure left-back James Penrice on a permanent contract following an impressive start to his Ibrox tenure. The 27-year-old, who arrived on loan from Greek champions AEK Athens, marked his debut with a goal and an assist in a 5-1 victory over St Mirren. That match sparked an ongoing 12-game unbeaten domestic run for McInnes' side, who had previously suffered Europa League elimination and taken just one point from their opening two Scottish Premiership matches.
Penrice's strong form continued at Hampden on Saturday as his low effort was turned in by Ryan Naderi to secure a 1-0 win against Aberdeen in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final. Rangers will now face Hibernian in December's final in search of their first silverware since 2023. Penrice, who previously played for Partick Thistle, Livingston, and Heart of Midlothian before moving to AEK Athens for £2m in July 2025, made 32 appearances and won the Greek Super League title last term while sharing starting duties with Albania international Stavros Pilios.
Rangers hold an option to buy the defender, with some reports noting a fee agreed over the summer at a combined £1.2m, though outlets in Athens suggest AEK may look to renegotiate. McInnes confirmed his desire to resolve the situation, citing goodwill on all sides to make the move permanent. The manager has heavily relied on Penrice's energy and versatility, even fielding him in midfield to counteract Benjamin Nygren during a 3-0 League Cup win over Celtic, which was immediately backed up by a 1-0 triumph at Celtic Park using the same starting lineup.
Alongside his club success, Penrice earned his first senior Scotland call-up from head coach Sebastien Pocognoli for the Nations League double-header against North Macedonia and Switzerland, a decision Pocognoli described as logical. While competing against Andy Robertson—who could break Sir Kenny Dalglish's record of 102 caps—alongside Kieran Tierney and Josh Doig, McInnes praised Penrice's determination, stating that the defender possesses the hunger to establish himself for both country and club.