RANGERS are ready to to reignite their interest in AEK Athens left-back James Penrice.
Penrice secured his first major title when AEK secured their first Super League Greece in three years with a 2-1 win over rivals Panathinaikos.
The former Partick Thistle and Livingston full-back left Hearts to complete a life-changing move to Greece last summer.
And victory on Sunday confirmed the Greek giants as champions with two matches to play, securing a place in next season’s Champions League play-offs.
An unused substitute against Panathinaikos, the 27-year-old defender has made 32 appearances in his first season overseas.
Read more
Alarming Manny Fernandez admission that will concern Rangers fans after Celtic loss
Lewis Ferguson's agent breaks silence on future after Rangers suggestions
And, with Jayden Meghoma set to return to parent club Brentford after a season-long loan at Ibrox, Rangers want Penrice to provide competition for first choice Dutch left-back Tuur Rommens.
The Ibrox club were heavily linked with the defender in the January winter window, with Greek media reporting that AEK rejected a bid from Glasgow.
Under contract until 2028 it remains to be seen if Penrice is open to a return to the SPFL or whether AEK will be more amenable to a sale, with Champions League football on the horizon next season.
Rangers are now compelled to pay close attention their quota of homegrown Scottish players in order to name a full 25-man squad for UEFA club competitions.
UEFA rules stipulate that eight players must be homegrown, while the remaining 17 can be foreign.
These eight must be a combination of club-trained and association-trained players and failure to meet these quotas reduces the total number of players allowed.
Third in the SPFL Premiership, Rangers will go into the third qualifying round of the Europa League if Celtic win the Scottish Cup. Should Dunfermline pull off a shock win at Hampden the Ibrox side will go into the Conference League qualifying round.
Share