Rangers land first deal of Derek McInnes era as new contract agreed amid interest from England

The 19-year-old midfielder had been tipped to leave Ibrox as a free agent this summer amid interest from England and abroad.

However, the Scotland Under-21 international has committed his immediate future to Rangers after recovering from an injury-hampered campaign where he managed just 45 minutes of first-team football in a Premier Sports Cup tie against Alloa.

The deal ties Rice to the club until next summer, and includes the option of a further year.

It marks the first piece of business conducted by Rangers since the appointment of Derek McInnes as manager after the former Hearts boss replaced the outgoing Danny Rohl, who has joined Red Bull Salzburg.

Rice, who joined Rangers from Motherwell’s academy back in the summer of 2022, made his debut for the club at just 16-years-old in a 3-0 victory over Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.

He has since made 16 first-team appearances including a first European start in the Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao in season 2024/25.

Rice told Rangers website: "It’s brilliant. I have been a fan since I was a kid, so I know what it means to play here, and I know what the club means to me, so it is a great achievement.

"It is such a great club, I have had some great moments, but I have also had some of the hardest moments of my career with injury, but that can only make me a better player, and I feel I can show a lot more than I already have.

“I always knew where my head was at, and I feel like I can show more than I already have. I spoke with my family, and we always knew this was the right place for me.”

Last season, Rice suffered a serious hamstring injury in training which required an operation and kept him sidelined for six months. He hopes his hard work in rehab will stand him in good stead in the new season.

“When it happened, I felt a pop, and it was something I had never felt before,” he added. “I went for a scan, and it came back as quite a major injury.

“It has not been plain sailing in my rehab, but I have kept my head down, and I have worked really hard, so hopefully it will be worth it this season.

“You can only prepare for what’s next. I feel really good, probably the best I have felt, a lot fitter and a lot sharper.

“I just want to get as much game time as possible. It is really important at my age especially and coming off an injury, you need to get game time, so I'm looking forward to this season.”