---
title: "Why James Penrice’s Scotland call-up is a Rangers success story"
canonical: "https://readrangers.com/2026/11/04/james-penrice-scotland-rangers-success-story"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Graeme Hanna"
section: "Rangers News"
published: "2026-11-04T11:26:26Z"
modified: "2026-11-04T11:26:26Z"
---

# Why James Penrice’s Scotland call-up is a Rangers success story

**James Penrice’s first senior Scotland call-up is more than a personal landmark for a player who has desired his country’s call.**

It is clear evidence that Rangers’ summer recruitment, overseen by Derek McInnes, is delivering results that impact beyond Ibrox.

The 27-year-old arrived on a season-long loan from AEK Athens with an option to buy, in what appeared to be a stop-gap solution to fill the spot vacated by the injured Tuur Rommens.

Now, the pair will contest an intriguing battle for the left-back berth, with the manager also assessing how to play them in the same team.

With Penrice, Rangers have been able to try before they buy, but that option now appears to be a foregone conclusion.

What followed has been one of the more straightforward success stories of the summer window.

Penrice has been an ever-present under McInnes, producing consistent, high-level performances that have made him indispensable in the manager’s system.

His importance was heightened by the specialist role he performed against Celtic at Ibrox, then last weekend he stepped into midfield beside Nico Raskin [against Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-final victory](https://readrangers.com/2026/10/31/rangers-1-aberdeen-0-report-hampden).

That form has now [earned recognition from Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli](https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cqpvgwxvz8p0o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Baol.com%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bsport%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D).

Selected for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland, Penrice joins teammates Liam Kelly and Findlay Curtis in the squad.

The timing feels right. An assist for Ryan Naderi at Hampden was simply the latest indication from of a player who has adapted quickly and contributed meaningfully for Rangers.

He has stepped up when required.

[First Scotland call up for James Penrice 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚽️ (embedded)](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ye8ApUFcXBY?feature=oembed)

## Derek McInnes’ influence on Penrice progression

The manager has long valued players who understand the demands of Scottish football and can handle the intensity of the Rangers environment.

Penrice, with prior experience at Hearts plus a title-winning campaign in Greece, fitted that profile.

McInnes has given him the platform and the responsibility, and the defender has responded emphatically

The Pentice Scotland call-up also strengthens the case for making the move permanent.

For the club, converting the loan would lock in a player already proven in the system, familiar with the league, and now carrying international recognition.

It also shows that low-risk, unglamorous transfers can also be successful ones.

James Penrice’s international recognition for Scotland is the outcome of that transfer decision, a success story for Rangers, and ultimately, a reward for a player who has fully earned the call.