MICKY MELLON hopes Tranmere can reap the rewards of a relationship with Rangers after clinching a loan deal for Josh McPake.

The winger spent the first half of the campaign under the guidance of former Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson at Morecambe.

But he has now made the switch to Prenton Park and put pen-to-paper on a move until the end of the League Two campaign.

And manager Mellon is pleased to have the 20-year-old on board as McPake aims to impress the former Dundee United boss this term.

Mellon said: “We’re delighted to sign Josh. We felt that we needed more competition and quality on top of what we already have.

“We need as many options as possible to try and win games and Josh brings us that. He’s a very talented lad and we’re very pleased that Rangers have allowed him to come to us.

“Building relationships with clubs like Rangers is one way we believe we can keep moving things forward.

“He’s played for Scotland at all levels except senior level and Rangers rate him very very highly.

"He comes into a group which is building strong foundations and we want to keep adding to that and strengthening that.”

The move to Tranmere marks the next step in McPake's career as he attempts to prove his worth and earn a shot at the Rangers first team.

The Scotland youth international has also spent time with Dundee, Morton and Harrogate Town in recent seasons.

McPake said: “I’m absolutely delighted to join the club. I’ve met everyone and got to know everyone so far so I’m really excited.

“It’s a massive club and the fan base was a major factor in my decision as well as the promotion push that we’re on. The Club is going in the right direction so it was an easy choice.