Rangers midfielder McPake heads across the border to Tranmere on loan
Rangers’ highly-rated midfielder Josh McPake has been sent on loan to English League Two side Tranmere Rovers for the remainder of the season.
The 20-year-old spent the first half of 2021-22 at Morecambe in the league above the ‘Super White Army’ but struggled to find his way into the Shrimps’ side.
He was recalled by his parent club as a result and hopes to rekindle his spark in Birkenhead.
McPake took to Twitter after the announcement was made to say: “Delighted to have signed for @TranmereRovers until the end of the season. I look forward to getting started and playing in front of the fans.”
Much needed game time
The Scotland youth international has may not have wanted to drop down a division this season but he couldn’t sit on the sidelines at Morecambe all year.
McPake enjoyed a good year in the English fourth tier last season at Harrogate Town and a return to the level where he thrived might springboard his rise up the leagues.
It isn’t inconceivable that McPake could spearhead Tranmere’s push for promotion with Micky Mellon’s side just one point off the automatic promotion places at the halfway stage of the season.
And should he shine in League Two, he will put himself in the shop window for other clubs in England and Scotland for another loan next season.
He could even force his way into Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s first-team plans if he develops to such an extent that he can’t be ignored by the Gers’ boss.
McPake will be available for Tranmere’s game at home to relegation-threatened Scunthorpe on Saturday but he will miss Morecambe’s massive FA Cup third round tie away at Tottenham Hotspur.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist was short and sweet as he voiced his opinion on the sale of Nathan Patterson