Kai Kennedy and Josh McPake set for permanent exits in Rangers transfer news
Rangers are willing to listen to offers for Kai Kennedy and Josh McPake in the January transfer window in an attempt to manage their wage bill, according to Football Scotland.
McPake, 21, has gained more than 70 appearances in England’s League One and Two while a Gers player and is currently on his sixth loan spell at high-flying Scottish Championship side Queens Park this season.
Meanwhile, Kennedy, 20, is also looking for a stable future away from Ibrox after being sent on loan to Falkirk this term, where he has netted two goals from 17 appearances under John McGlynn.
The Football Scotland report said: “The pair are likely to exit Ibrox in January with clubs interested in doing business with Gers over their youngsters.
“We told earlier this evening [19 January] how Tampa Bay Rowdies were keen on a move for Kennedy who has been playing on loan for Falkirk in Scotland’s League One this season.
“Football Scotland understands both players are high earners for their age group and Gers have no plans to introduce either at this stage to the first-team. And the Ibrox outfit are ready to listen to offers for the pair in a bid to save on their wage bill.”
Refresh
It seems as though Michael Beale wants to refresh his academy and only devote time to those who he feels could legitimately have an impact on the first team.
Despite both being promising players at academy level, neither ever looked likely to become Gers first-team regulars and it is, therefore a smart move to get them off the wage bill.
Beale is renowned for his work with the youth during his short time in management, and it seems he wants a clean slate for those he deems worthy of a spot in the academy. Simply put, if you’re not deemed good enough by the manager, you will be moved on.
This is a promising sign for Rangers fans as offloading players such as Kennedy and McPake could, in turn, fund a couple of signings higher up the club.
Such transfers could include Swansea City attacker Morgan Whittaker, who Rangers submitted a £1.5million bid for on Thursday, which was albeit rejected. [Fabrizio Romano, 19 January]
In other Rangers news, the club are now fancying their chances of a major January transfer after Fabrizio Romano’s update with a move on the cards.