Rangers have reportedly stepped up their search for defensive reinforcements by holding talks over a potential move for AEK Athens left-back James Penrice.
The Scottish defender has long been admired by Derek McInnes, with the Rangers manager making no secret of his appreciation for the 27-year-old long before taking charge at Ibrox. After missing out on Penrice during previous spells elsewhere, McInnes could now be handed another opportunity to finally bring the full-back to his squad.
With Rangers continuing their summer rebuild ahead of a crucial campaign, strengthening the left side of defence remains one of the club’s priorities, and Penrice has emerged as a serious target.
Derek McInnes has tracked James Penrice for years
McInnes’ admiration for Penrice is well documented.
The Rangers boss previously revealed that he attempted to sign the defender during his time as Kilmarnock manager before Hearts secured his signature instead.
McInnes even compared Penrice’s style of play to former Scotland captain Andy Robertson in the early stages of his career, highlighting the full-back’s attacking instincts, athleticism and ability to influence matches from the left flank.
Those qualities were on full display during Penrice’s impressive spell at Hearts, where he established himself as one of the Scottish Premiership’s standout left-backs.
His performances not only attracted interest from clubs in Scotland but also earned him a move abroad with Greek giants AEK Athens.
Now, just months later, Rangers are exploring whether they can bring him back to Scotland.
Rangers encouraged as AEK Athens open door to transfer
A move to Ibrox appears more realistic after reports suggested AEK Athens are willing to consider offers for the defender this summer.
Penrice only joined the Greek club recently, but he found regular starts difficult to come by during his first season.
The Livingston-born defender featured for just over 1,000 league minutes and made only a handful of appearances in European competition, meaning a return to regular first-team football could become an attractive option.
That situation has alerted Rangers, who have already opened discussions over a possible deal.
However, Derek McInnes’ side are unlikely to have a clear run at the player.
Premier League newcomers Burnley are also understood to have expressed interest and have held their own discussions over a potential transfer, meaning Rangers may need to move quickly if they want to win the race for his signature.
Why James Penrice fits Rangers’ recruitment strategy
Penrice enjoyed an outstanding final campaign in Scotland before making the move to Greece.
During the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership season, he scored two goals and provided five assists in 33 league appearances, underlining his ability to contribute in the final third.
Defensively, he was equally impressive.
His average of 2.4 tackles per 90 minutes ranked among the best in the Hearts squad, while his energy, positioning and willingness to get forward made him one of the league’s most complete full-backs.
Those attributes fit perfectly with the type of football McInnes is looking to implement at Rangers.
The manager has consistently favoured attacking full-backs capable of providing width while remaining disciplined defensively, and Penrice’s experience in Scottish football means he would require very little time to adapt to life at Ibrox.
His familiarity with the Premiership could prove especially valuable as Rangers look to challenge Celtic for the league title while also competing in Europe.
Rangers continuing busy summer transfer window
Penrice is just one of several players Rangers have been linked with as McInnes continues reshaping his squad.
The club have already strengthened several key areas during the transfer window, while further additions remain expected before the deadline.
Midfield remains another priority, with Rangers continuing to pursue Vanja Dragojevic and Jens Hjerto-Dahl, while speculation also persists over the futures of several current first-team players.
In defence, injuries and squad depth have increased the need for another reliable option, making Penrice an attractive candidate given his experience and proven quality in the Scottish game.
His ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch would add valuable competition and depth, particularly with Rangers facing another demanding campaign across domestic and European competitions.
Will Rangers complete the signing?
Although talks have reportedly taken place, there is no agreement in place at this stage.
Competition from Burnley could complicate negotiations, while AEK Athens are expected to seek a fee that reflects Penrice’s quality despite his limited game time in Greece.
For Rangers, however, the transfer makes sense on several levels.
McInnes already knows exactly what the defender can offer, Penrice has proven himself in the Scottish Premiership, and at 27 years of age he is entering what are widely regarded as the peak years of his career.
With the transfer window still open and Rangers expected to remain active in the market, Penrice is likely to remain one of the names to watch over the coming weeks.
Should a deal be completed, it would reunite McInnes with a player he has admired for years and provide Rangers with an experienced left-back capable of making an immediate impact as the club look to mount a sustained challenge for silverware this season.