Josh McPake seemed destined for big things when he made his Rangers debut under Steven Gerrard in the summer of 2019.
As a fresh faced 17-year old, the forward looked perfect for a front three that required flexibility with the Scotland youth cap capable of playing wide or through the middle.
After a promising start, Josh McPake finds himself back where he started and another game for the B team raises question makes about his future.
Rangers clock ticking for Josh McPake
Contracted until 2024, the 21-year old has never been short of work rate and an impressive physical transformation saw him look ready for the demands of senior football.
Unsuccessful loan spells at Morton, Dundee, Harrogate, Morecambe and Queens Park will have dented his confidence despite once being linked with Liverpool and Roma.
After all, if he can’t make it there, where will he make it.
Rangers still have a duty of care to Josh McPake in that we can’t just ignore a player of his age but it is strange to see a player like Thompson Ishaka sitting on the bench who might have a better chance of progressing at the club.
First and foremost, he needs to nail down a position, whether that is on the wing or through the middle.
He has the physique to play centrally and the pace to match too, he can also run the channels and beat a player 1v1.
Playing on the wing doesn’t seem to suit his main attributes but he needs to improve his fundamentals like how he holds the ball up and links play.
It’s not quite last chance saloon but Josh McPake will need to move on from Rangers to fulfill his potential, a permanent home where he can settle rather than the Groundhog Day of the Rangers B team.
