Josh Gentles’ journey through Scottish football took another turn this week as Rangers officially recalled the promising 18-year-old from his loan spell at Raith Rovers. The move, confirmed on January 2, 2026, marks the latest chapter in Gentles’ development under the watchful eyes at Ibrox, and it comes at a pivotal time for both Rangers and Raith Rovers as the Scottish football season heats up.
Gentles, who joined Raith Rovers on loan in August 2025 as part of the Scottish FA co-operation agreement between the two clubs, made just eight appearances for the Kirkcaldy side. While his time in the Championship may have been short, it’s clear that both clubs valued his contributions. In a statement, Raith Rovers said: “Following a short loan spell as part of our Co-Operation Agreement with Rangers, Josh Gentles has now returned to his parent club. We thank Josh for his efforts with us and look forward to watching his continued development in the future.” Rangers echoed this sentiment, providing their own update: “We can today confirm that Josh Gentles has been recalled from his loan spell at Raith Rovers.”
This isn’t Gentles’ first taste of senior football. Just last season, he spent the second half on loan at Alloa Athletic, where he made a notable impact with 14 appearances, three goals, and three assists under manager Andy Graham. That spell showcased his potential and gave Rangers fans a glimpse of what might be to come. The club’s decision to recall him now suggests they see a new opportunity for the young midfielder—possibly within their own first-team plans or perhaps in preparation for another challenge elsewhere.
The recall comes at a time when Rangers are casting a wide net in the transfer market. Manager Danny Rohl, who faces a high-stakes derby against Celtic tomorrow, has been candid about the club’s ambitions and workload. “We work at the moment 24/7 to find players,” Rohl told reporters, underscoring the relentless pace of football recruitment at the top level. “It’s about decision-making. It’s about negotiations. It’s about timing. We have some players in our mind, but you have to be a little bit patient.”
Patience is a virtue that Dougie Imrie, Raith Rovers’ manager, knows all too well. At 42, Imrie has seen the highs and lows of Scottish football, both as a player and now as a coach. In a recent interview with Raith TV, Imrie reflected on his own journey, which began with a series of rejections as a young footballer. “When I turned pro at 23 when I went to Clyde, if anyone had said I’d go on to play over 500 games, with all the plaudits and scoring a winner against Celtic at Parkhead, I would have laughed at them,” Imrie said. “But it was never easy. When I went to Clyde, I struggled because of the difference in intensity (from playing junior football at previous club Lanark United). It was massive. It took me a good three or four months to get used to that. Training every day, full-time as well. I went from training a couple of nights a week, working two-hour shifts, to now being a full-time footballer. It was trying to adjust to that lifestyle.”
Imrie’s story is one of resilience and sacrifice—a narrative that resonates with young players like Gentles. “I gave up a lot, I sacrificed a lot. I gave up a relationship, I gave up a mortgage, because I wanted to be that full-time footballer. That was my dream and I got there. I wasn’t going to give it up. For any young player that wants to be a footballer nowadays, you have to sacrifice your mates, you have to sacrifice Friday nights a lot to make it in this game. If you’ve got that desire and drive like I had, then you’ll give yourself every opportunity to be the best version of yourself that you can be in the game. All I ever wanted to do was be a professional footballer and I say that to any young kid with the same ambition is: ‘Don’t ever give up on your dream’.”
Gentles, now returning to Auchenhowie, will be looking to channel some of that same determination as he enters the next stage of his career. While his time at Raith was brief, it offered him valuable minutes in the Championship and a chance to test himself against seasoned professionals. The recall suggests that Rangers see potential for more rapid progress, whether that be in their own squad or through another loan opportunity.
Imrie, meanwhile, is preparing his Raith Rovers side for their return to William Hill Championship action against Airdrieonians. The match, scheduled for January 3, 2026, at 3pm, comes at a crucial juncture in the season. Raith currently sits sixth in the table with 24 points from 20 matches—just four points shy of Ayr United, who occupy the final Premiership play-off spot. The margins are tight, and every point will count as the campaign heads into its decisive phase.
Imrie’s own playing career is the stuff of Scottish football folklore. Between 2004 and 2019, he racked up over 500 SPFL appearances, scoring 75 goals and providing 69 assists across five clubs. Highlights include a memorable spell at Clyde from 2006 to 2008, where he scored 12 times in 64 appearances, and a move to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, netting 10 goals and providing 16 assists in 73 games. There was also a first stint at Hamilton Academical, yielding 10 goals and 19 assists in 80 games, and a season at St Mirren, where he tallied three goals and six assists in 44 matches. Perhaps the crowning moment came during the 2013-2014 campaign at Greenock Morton, when Imrie scored a penalty winner at Celtic Park in a League Cup tie—a goal that still gets fans talking. He finished his playing days with five more years at Hamilton, adding 20 goals and 20 assists in 197 games.
Reflecting on his early setbacks, Imrie said: “Because the amount of disappointment I had myself as a young boy, being told: ‘You’re too small, you’re not good enough’. That just gave me more ammunition and I think that’s why I still have that drive and determination today to prove all these people in my early part of my life that I’ve got to where I want to get to.” He also discussed his trials with various clubs, adding: “I had four or five trials with different clubs. At one or two, it just didn’t happen for me. I was at Ayr United, I was at Stirling Albion, who said they would sign me, but I was going to Clyde the following week after playing for them in a trial match.”
As the Scottish football calendar rolls on, all eyes will be on both Rangers and Raith Rovers. Gentles’ recall signals a new phase for the young midfielder, while Imrie’s Raith side look to close the gap in the Championship play-off race. With ambition, grit, and a touch of Scottish football’s trademark unpredictability, the coming weeks promise plenty of drama for players and fans alike.