Rangers have had plenty debates over the years about where the team needs strengthened, but left back is one of those positions that only really gets talked about when it becomes a problem. And right now, even if you like Meghoma, the bigger issue is that he’s basically got the jersey with no proper fight for it.
The point being made is a simple one: if Meghoma isn’t someone we can sign permanently, then Rangers have to think beyond “making do” for the rest of the season. You can’t build a stable side if a key position is effectively being covered by a short-term arrangement, especially in a team that’s expected to control games and spend long spells camped in the opposition half.
Why a Penrice loan would make sense
If the club could bring in James Penrice on loan, with an option to buy at the end of it, it’s easy to see why supporters would call it a no brainer. A loan doesn’t need to be glamorous. It needs to be sensible. And in this case it would give Rangers two things at once: short-term security and a possible long-term answer.
That “option to buy” part matters. It’s not about chasing names, it’s about creating a clear pathway. If Penrice comes in, settles, and looks like the right fit, Rangers can act. If it doesn’t click, you’re not trapped. That’s the kind of flexibility we should be aiming for whenever we can.
Competition improves standards, especially in wide areas
The other big benefit is competition. Wide defenders at Rangers don’t just defend. They’re asked to provide width, overlap, recover in transition, and basically repeat that sprint cycle over and over. When there’s no competition, standards can drift without anyone even noticing until the first bad afternoon.
Penrice having more experience than Meghoma could be huge too. Not because experience automatically makes you better, but because it can help in the messy moments: when the press is broken, when you need to slow a game down, or when you’re dealing with a tricky winger and you can’t afford to dive in.
Meghoma still has a future, even with a challenger
This isn’t a bash on Meghoma. Far from it. There’s a feeling he could turn into a very good left back over the next few years. But young players develop quicker when there’s a genuine push behind them, and when they’re not being asked to carry everything on their own shoulders every week.
So if Rangers can’t keep Meghoma permanently, the sensible play is planning for life after him while still getting the best out of him now. And bringing in proper competition at left back is exactly how you do that.
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