As the world, his dog, his nephew and his wife all now know, former AEK Athens left back James Penrice signed on the dotted line to join Rangers. The Scots defender, never capped, curiously, at senior level, had been a long time link since around January.
Rangers interest in Penrice returns
It became pretty clear that he was a target Rangers were interested in, but the pursuit did not continue beyond the start of this year.
As we reached May and June, however, interest returned and the name James Penrice did crop up once again.
But the hand was fully forced in the past two weeks with the injury to Tuur Rommens. Consequently, Penrice was secured.
What does Ibrox Noise make of this new addition?
If things had been better at Rangers this season, we would have been absolutely thrilled with this one. We still are, in truth.
He’s a boyhood Rangers fan. He is a very, very decent left back who shone well for Hearts prior to Derek McInnes. Although, there was a little bit of overlap when the now-Rangers manager took over at Tynecastle.
He also shone in Greece and has a league trophy to his credit, although he wasn’t a guaranteed starter in the Mediterranean.
Penrice comes home
When the move to Rangers came up in the last month, there was no question that Penrice was coming home.
He is a Rangers fan, boyhood, born and bred, and is absolutely over the moon to get his move to the place that he belongs.
Of course, Lawrence Shankland and Ross McCrorie both achieved that as well, and it didn’t help them too much so far this season.
But nevertheless, this is about Penrice.
So what do Rangers have here?
Well, at last we have a left back solution with Tuur Rommens no longer available. There is more on that one in due course, and the current failure as well to secure Jaydon Meghoma.
Rangers needed somebody who was willing, ready, able and competent in that position. James Penrice ticks all these and more.
He is a signing that we are happy with.
Scotland competition
He’s not Scotland international level for one very simple reason. He was up against Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney.
Scotland, if anything else, have not exactly lacked in the full back areas in the past decade or so. Penrice, unfortunately for him, didn’t stand a chance.
Others who barely feature at national level include Aaron Hickey and Josh Doig. Both are excellent young Scottish left backs or full backs, but barely feature for the national team.
What Rangers are getting
Rangers are unlikely to get a full back here who will provide goals or assists. Penrice’s record as an assist king is not exactly strong.
He is, however, a dependable and solid full back who will give everything that he has. Penrice is what we would call extremely competent without too many frills or spills. He has never been called up for his national team at any level, and is now 27.
Basic is his style up till now.
His most productive assist and goals periods were with Hearts and Livi. 18 goals and assists in 108 appearances. Perhaps Rangers could see that side of him again, depending on how McInnes plays him.
But for now, it is good that Rangers do have a solution. He may even be able to start today against St Mirren.
Rangers definitely need the proper balance on the left hand side, for sure.