SPFL boss hails Rangers talent 'a proper striker' as club strengthen long-standing Ibrox connection
The Welsh youth international was thrown straight into action on Saturday without training with his new team mates
John Rankin is convincing Airdrie have snapped up “a proper striker” in the mould of Rangers youngster Josh Gentles after making a quickfire debut for the club just a few hours after putting pen to paper on a season-long loan deal.
The Light Blues academy product, who has represented Wales up to Under-19 level, has been at Ibrox since 2023 and has already gained senior experience through loan spells with Raith Rovers and Alloa Athletic.
He will now look to take another important step in his development with regular first-team football at the SPFL League One club, where he will link up with Gers team-mate Callum Burnside at the Albert Bartlett Stadium.
And delighted Airdrieonians head coach Rankin believes Gentles can provide an different attacking dimension to his side after the Diamonds managed to fend off significant interest in the forward to secure his services.
“Josh has got great quality, he’s one that we’ve been speaking about for a while now,” Rankin told the club's official website. “He’s had plenty of suitors in this window, but we’ve been fortunate enough that he’s decided to come to us. He gives us an attacking option, a striker that we’ve been crying out for, and again we’ve had fantastic backing to be able to bring him in.”
Gentles was pitched straight into action during Saturday’s goalless draw at home to East Fife, without having trained with his teammates. Speaking post-match, he expressed delight at being handed another chance to gain more first-team experience.
“The lads were very good with me today so it should be a great experience.” Gentles reflected. “I really enjoyed it and it was a good start, a good point but hopefully we can get three next week and go from there.”
Diamonds develop strong Ibrox connection
The presence of fellow Rangers youth team-mate Burnside around the squad will help Gentles settle into his new surroundings quickly, while several other players already have connections to the Govan giants including club captain Cole McKinnon and right-back Adam Devine.
He admitted: “Obviously I know Callum very well and then there’s a few boys about Rangers a few years older than me, so already come into the dressing room knowing a few familiar faces which is nice as well.
Gentles can operate in several attacking positions, including as a striker, a number 10 or from the left wing. Rankin highlighted the player’s finishing ability as one of his main attributes, and the highly-regarded youngster was in agreement.
“It’s probably my main strength of my game,” he confessed. “Hopefully getting in behind and scoring goals can be done. Obviously I can score from distance as well which helps as well, so I can vary that side of my game up.”
The loan provides Gentles with another opportunity to prove himself in senior football after injury interrupted his progress last season. And Rankin will hope he can provide the attacking spark his side have been lacking following a difficult start to the season in front of goal.
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