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A Rangers Recap – Player Moves & Friendlies Set

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We all deserve to let our hair down at points after a difficult and emotional rollercoaster of a season and it seems my knack of taking time off at the wrong time has again bitten me squarely on the backside with plenty of developments taking place whilst I was otherwise engaged.

So a recap of player deals and I will say in no particular order, just in case anyone else, like me, missed them.

Carlos Pena has secured himself a ‘sub-loan’ deal (whatever that is) with Necaxa until January 2019. The 28-year-old made the switch to Ibrox last summer but he only went on to make eight starting appearances for us following his £3.5million transfer. With six further showings from the bench, his goal return of five was pretty impressive in the circumstances.

Having spent the second half of 2017/18 out on loan with Cruz Azul, it obviously looks like the Mexican’s time with us is at an end.

We do however welcome 20-year-old Ovie Ejaria to Ibrox on a season-long loan spell from Liverpool. Gerrard has tapped into his former club for the young talent and he’s a player he knows well.

Ejaria is a versatile midfielder who brings options and he can also play up front. He made his first-team debut for Liverpool back in 2016 and he made his Premier League bow two months later.

He departs Anfield with eight senior appearances to his name, and a further eleven following a loan spell with Sunderland in the second half of last season.

He was also part of England’s Under 20 squad which lifted the U20 World Cup in South Korea in 2017, so big things are expected from the lad as he continues to develop.

Academy goalkeeping product Liam Kelly has also made the switch out to Livingston Football Club for an undisclosed fee. Having represented Rangers at all age levels as he came through the ranks he lifted the Glasgow Cup and Youth Cup in his time with us and the 22-year-old now leaves to really get his career going as he searches for more regular first-team football.

He leaves having been at the club for the past 14 years and with the well wishes of everybody.

In friendly news, Ibrox will play host to both Bury and Wigan Athletic as Gerrard looks to shape his squad ahead of August 4th Premiership kick off.

With early season Europa League commitments, Bury travel up on Friday, July 6 for a 7.15pm kick-off and Wigan make the trip on Sunday, July 29 for a 3pm kickoff.

Former Rangers player Kal Naismith will likely make a return as he has now signed for Wigan and there are plenty of other player ties involved such as Lee McCulloch, James Tavernier and Martyn Waghorn.

Other friendlies will no doubt be announced in due course.

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