Glasgow Rangers are reportedly hoping to keep Josh McPake at Ibrox amid interest from the Premier League.
It was reported by Mail Sport over the weekend that Rangers are planning to offer Josh McPake a new contract with a number of European clubs interested in signing the 17-year-old, who is arguably the most exciting prospect currently coming through at Ibrox.
Mail Sport reports that McPake has one year left on his deal with the Gers, and has admirers from Liverpool and Roma. But Steven Gerrard could look to hand him a first-team chance before the campaign concludes to help convince the teenager to sign a new long-term deal with the Light Blues.
If Rangers manage to persuade McPake to stay put and sign a new deal, it would look like a fantastic piece of business. And it would perhaps be a sign that they have learnt from losing Billy Gilmour in 2017.
The two situations are slightly different with Gilmour leaving to join Chelsea when he was 16. But his form during his time on the Blues’ books has probably been somewhat tough viewing for the Ibrox faithful. While they want to see Gilmour succeed, there is always likely to be a little frustration that his development is not taking place with Rangers, especially as he appears to have a frightening amount of potential.
With McPake now the player that the Gers fans have extremely high hopes for, it appears to be an incredibly smart move to make sure that, at the very least, he is tied down to a lengthy contract.
And given the clubs currently chasing McPake’s signature, it would be a huge statement from Rangers to agree terms as that may alert those within the Gers’ academy who may also have offers from elsewhere, as well as potential targets who are considering whether to head to Ibrox or not.
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