Carlisle United boss Keith Millen is keen to sign Rangers talent Josh McPake on loan, with Ross Wilson set to terminate the winger’s temporary transfer with Morecambe in January.
That’s according to the Daily Record, who report the Gers will cut short McPake’s time at the Mazuma Stadium. Wilson will instruct the forward to return to Glasgow at the start of next month, having failed to seal a vital role as the Shrimps battle for League One survival.
McPake has only made five outings in the English third-tier since moving to Lancashire. He also only started three times, before an ankle injury helped keep him out since September.
Morecambe coach Stephen Robinson was delighted to have signed McPake on loan from Rangers in the last transfer window. He told the Shrimp’s official website at the time: “He creates chances and he’s a really exciting signing for us.”
But McPake’s spell at the Mazuma Stadium has not worked out, and the Daily Record note Wilson is now ‘desperate’ to get the Rangers gem back playing regular first-team football.
Millen is, therefore, positioning Carlisle to win the emerging race for McPake’s next loan transfer from Rangers. He believes the 20-year-old can make a difference to the Brunton Park natives’ League Two survival bid. The Cumbrians are currently 21st in the standings.
McPake in high-demand among League Two clubs ahead of transfer window
Carlisle could face strong competition to sign McPake on loan, as the Rangers product is in high-demand among English fourth-tier clubs ahead of the January transfer window.
Barrow, Hartlepool United, Oldham Athletic and Tranmere Rovers are among the sides also monitoring McPake’s situation. Of the quartet, Barrow and Oldham are also fighting with Carlisle for safety, while Tranmere eye promotion into League One.
Tranmere currently hold a play-off spot and are only a point shy of the automatic places. So, Wilson may favour one of the clubs fighting survival if it secures McPake regular games.
Carlisle will contact Rangers soon to discuss a loan transfer for McPake before attempting to convince him. They also hope to wrap up a deal soon after his Morecambe spell ends.
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