In a transfer twist, an alternative club look set to land Rangers winger Josh McPake on loan [Football Insider].
McPake is currently on loan at EFL League One club Morecambe but things haven’t exactly gone to plan so far this season.
After playing a bit-part role during the opening months of the campaign, he picked up an ankle injury in October and hasn’t been seen since.
Rangers are widely expected to recall him at the start of January before sending him out elsewhere for much-needed playing time and earlier this week, the Daily Record reported that Carlisle United were confident they would be able to win the race for his signature.
Josh McPake set for Tranmere not Carlisle
However, Football Insider reported on Tuesday that it’s actually Tranmere Rovers who’re set to land the rapid Scotland youth international until the end of the season.
Citing a source at Rangers, Football Insider assert that negotiations are already at an advanced stage and that an agreement is close.
They go on to claim that all parties expect the paperwork to be finalised in time for McPake to be able to join the Merseyside club as soon as the January transfer window opens.
Promotion push beckons for Rangers winger
This news will be a blow not only to Carlisle but also to fellow suitors Oldham Athletic and Hartlepool.
It makes sense that Tranmere would be Rangers’ preferred destination for McPake, though, as they are the highest up the League Two table.
Should a move to Prenton Park go through, it would see him pushing for promotion under ex-Dundee United boss Micky Mellon and there’s no chance of him being dragged into a relegation scrap.
The 20-year-old already has experience of the English fourth tier, spending the second half of last season on loan at Harrogate Town, and after a frustrating start to the current campaign, he’ll be determined to kick on at Tranmere.
In other transfer news, Rangers are reportedly eyeing a move for a 29-cap international.
