Rangers want Josh McPake off the wage bill, permanent exit on the cards as Larne eye deal
Josh McPake looks to be headed for a permanent Rangers exit with the club looking to get him off the wage bill, according to Football Scotland’s Mark Hendry.
Northern Irish side Larne had been interested in a loan move for the 21-year-old but are now looking to sign him permanently, with the Gers in line for a fee plus add-ons if a deal can be reached.
Winger McPake has been on loan six times in the past three and a half seasons, most recently at Queens Park in the first half of this season, and according to Football Scotland on 19 January is one of the higher earners for his age group, so is now in line to leave full time.
Hendry reported via Twitter on Friday evening: “Larne of NIFL Premiership now keen on permanent move for McPake.
“Have been previously interested in a loan move but now Rangers are hoping to get player off wage bill.
“Expect them to get small transfer fee with add-ons if they can reach an agreement.”
Time has come
McPake has had a decent time in English League Two and earlier this term in the Scottish Championship, but he has so far only made a single senior appearance for Rangers.
If he is earning more than most at his age and there is interest to sign him permanently then it seems sensible for all sides to get this move done.
Going on repeated quick-fire loans is likely to be tricky for his adaptation to any one situation, and if there isn’t a genuine prospect of him breaking into the first team there is little use in holding on to him.
Michael Beale’s January transfer window is making the path to the first team more crowded, and even if Ryan Kent is to leave this year Alex Lowry is in place to step up on a more regular basis.
NIFL Premiership side Larne already had interest in a loan move but look to be the beneficiaries of a change of outlook at Ibrox.
If they can afford a suitable deal then there is surely a good chance this one gets done in a way that satisfies all sides before the end of the month.
In other Rangers news, a £4million loan-to-buy looks to be affecting the Light Blues late push to complete a deal before the deadline.