Rangers midfielder could now be axed as journalist shares behind-the-scenes behaviour concern

Rangers are considering whether to terminate the contract of Josh McPake, according to Football Scotland. 

The publication had previously reported that the 20-year-old was free to leave if another club made an approach, but it would appear that the Gers’ stance has now hardened.

McPake came through the youth ranks at Ibrox and has had five spells out on loan. The first two were in Scotland – at Dundee and Morton – and the last three have been in the English Football League with Harrogate Town, Morecambe and, most recently, Tranmere Rovers.

Rangers halted his spell with the Shrimps in January after ‘things just did not work out‘, in the words of boss Stephen Robinson, but his fortunes haven’t really improved at Tranmere, with McPake playing only 12 minutes across the last seven League Two matches.

Football Scotland deputy editor Mark Hendry reported that Rangers are ‘exploring the possibility’ of ripping up McPake’s deal and paying him off.

They are said to be disappointed with how he has fared on loan and have decided that he has ‘no future’ at Ibrox.

Worryingly, Hendry added that the player’s attitude has also ‘come into question’ recently behind the scenes at Rangers.

McPake, who made his one and only senior Rangers appearance to date as a substitute in a Europa League qualifier against St Joseph’s of Gibraltar in 2019, is still under contract until the summer of 2024.

As per Salary Sport, he earns £4,100 per week, which would equate to £426,400 over a two-year period. That’s a considerable sum that Rangers could save by terminating his contract.

McPake’s former Morton boss David Hopkin called him ‘excellent’ and said that he had a ‘fantastic chance’ of success in football, but the promise has faded since.

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