Transfer Gossip: Portsmouth keen to make Rangers loanee Ross McCrorie's switch permanent

According to today’s back page of the Scottish Mail on Sunday, Blues boss Kenny Jackett is keen to retain the services of the Scot in the summer.

McCrorie, who is currently self-isolating after become the fifth Pompey player to test positive for coronavirus, moved to Fratton Park on a season-long loan from Glasgow Rangers in July.

The Scotland under-21 captain has endured a stop-start campaign in Pompey’s League One promotion push.

A recurring hamstring injury, coupled with a sending off in the opening-day defeat at Shrewsbury, has meant he's been restricted to 22 appearances in all competitions.

However, McCrorie's held in high regard by Jackett, who's converted the 22-year-old from a holding midfielder to a right-back.

The Pompey manager has been impressed by McCrorie’s attacking and athletic qualities, which is why the pursuit of Barnsley’s Dimitri Cavare during the January transfer window was ended.

Now the Scottish Mail on Sunday suggests Jackett wants the Dailly-born ace in his plans for the 2020-21 campaign.

There were reports Pompey held an option-to-buy clause in McCrorie's contract after he signed.

However, that was scotched by Rangers boss Steven Gerrard. Speaking in the summer, he insisted McCrorie was on loan at PO4 to bolster his chances of becoming a Gers regular in the future.

Speaking to Rangers TV, the former Liverpool captain said: ‘It is very important to clear some things or speculation that’s been in the media.

‘There is no deal for Ross McCrorie to go there permanently. It is a loan, a development loan to improve him because he’s our player and we want him here for a long time.

‘We want to help him try to get to the next level.

‘I could have been selfish and kept him here to be a squad player.

‘But maybe being a squad player won’t develop him or bring him along as quickly as we would want.

‘Hopefully he’ll come back with 40-50 games under his belt, a better player and ready to challenge the lads who have got the shirts.

‘He is certainly one of ours and we have got big plans for Ross McCrorie.’