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SportScottish PremiershipRaith Rovers boss Gary Locke in talks with Rangers over extending loan...

Raith Rovers boss Gary Locke in talks with Rangers over extending loan deals

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RAITH Rovers manager Gary Locke is in talks aimed at extending the loans of Rangers pair Jordan Thompson and Scott Roberts.

Roberts arrived at Stark’s Park in July and his Ibrox team-mate joined him a month later as Locke sought to beef up his squad.

Midfielder Thompson has been a key member of the Rovers side, making making 12 starts in his 15 appearances, whilst winger Roberts has a goal to his name from his 13 outings.

The agreements for both players are due to expire in January but Locke is eager to prolong their stays in Kirkcaldy as he tries to make the most of a limited budget.

Mark Warburton has spoken of preferring his young talent to go out on loan for first-team experience but Locke concedes his hopes rest with his Rangers counterpart and assistant David Weir.

He said: “It’s something I’m speaking to Rangers about at the minute.

“We’ve got a couple of lads from there and they’ve done really well, so I’d be really keen to keep these boys.

“But it will all depend on what Mark and Davie want to do with them.

“Obviously, they’re Rangers’ players and Rangers’ priority. If Rangers recall them then we’ll have to look at something else.

CONVERSATION

“But hopefully with these lads getting first-team football – and I’m hoping they’ve enjoyed it here – then it would be great if we could keep them.

“We’re in talks at the moment and we’ll see what happens.”

When Thompson joined Rovers in August, the deal saw Raith defender David Bates go on loan to Rangers to play for their under-20s side and Locke admits the 20-year-old’s future also needs clarified.

He added: “Batesy’s at Rangers and he’s doing well, so he’ll be part of the conversation.

“People a wee bit higher up than myself will sit around the table and hopefully sort something out.

“But, at the minute, I’m delighted with the deal in place and the lads that have come from Rangers have been great; we’re over the moon with how well they’ve done.”

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