Rangers could have had James Penrice for free two years ago, David Martindale has revealed.
The Livingston sporting director was still the manager at that point when the left-back, who had shone in his team, was heading to the end of his contract.
Resigned to losing him, Martindale spoke to some of the decision makers at Ibro and strongly suggested they take a chance on him.
Penrice ended up signing for Hearts, but has now finally pitched up at Ibrox via a spell in Greece with AEK Athens. Rangers will pay £1.75million next summer if they decide to make his loan permanent.
Martindale told the Daily Record: “Something you might not know is that I actually spoke to certain individuals at Rangers - people who are no longer there - and suggested they should sign him before James joined Hearts.
“He was heading out of contract at Livingston and I said they should take a wee chance on him on a free.
“Now don’t get me wrong, I was trying to get us a wee sell-on clause to help protect my club because we didn’t receive anything when he joined Hearts.
“There was a little bit of interest from Rangers at the time but clearly not enough for them to push the button on it.
“Robbie Neilson ended up calling me to do the deal that took him to Hearts.
“Rangers clearly didn’t think he was ready at that stage but what I will say about James is that he’s robust. He’s in a good place now where he should be playing most weeks.
“And when you’re robust and playing very very well week in, week out, it becomes very difficult to then take you out the team.
“And again, folk may not realise this but he’s adaptable. James can play higher up at left wing. He can also play on the right hand side cutting in. I even played him in central midfield on a couple of occasions.
Read more
I've been a broken record on Rangers' transfers but this gives me optimism Smiling Rangers star begins long road to recovery with social media update
“But I do think he is best at left-back but he’s a very intelligent footballer who is robust, so I really do think it will be difficult to push him out that team now he’s established himself in it.”
There a a number of factors which make Martindale convinced his former player will make the grade at Rangers. He has hailed the upbringing he has had from his parents and knows for sure he has both the attitude and ability within himself.
On top of that, he feels being a big lifelong Rangers fan will also help.
Martindale added: “The fact James is a Rangers fan I really do think will make a difference. When you’ve got players with ability who also have that emotional attachment, I think you get a bit more out of them.
“James will understand the club, he will run through a brick wall for the fans.
“Although he’s a Rangers fan, he’s a Livingston boy and we got a bit of that mindset during his time here.
“But I know that playing in front of 50,000 people at Ibrox - with his family in amongst them - will mean a hell of a lot to James and for me that will get a wee bit more out of any player.
“And I have to be honest, I think the result Rangers got at the weekend with James in the team had been coming even before he signed.
“I know there’s been a lot said about Rangers’ start to the season on social media, but Del is a really good manager.
“He’s had some injuries and is still waiting on some signings.
“But I’ve always expected results to turn. James’ arrival gave them that wee lift against St Mirren but from the outside looking in, I’ve never been convinced that things were as bad as had been made out.”
