STUART MCCALL hopes Scunthorpe can strike a deal to retain Rangers keeper Jak Alnwick for the remainder of the League One campaign.

The Englishman has been a key performer for the Iron since making the switch from Ibrox in the summer.

And former Light Blues boss McCall is keen to hold on to Alnwick after his initial loan spell ended following Saturday’s win at Walsall.

McCall said: “We have had liasons with Rangers and at the end of the day, it is down to what Rangers want to do.

“Then it is down to what Jak and his representatives want and then we are third in the pecking order.

“Rangers are away in Tenerife at the moment on their winter break and they are discussing all loan players, of which they have a few out.

“The feedback we are getting is that they are quite happy with Jak staying on loan until the end of the season.

“I was speaking to Jak the other day and he is more than happy to stay and we are more than happy with him.

“If Rangers allow it and he wants to stay we would like to keep him.”

The arrival of Allan McGregor at Ibrox in the summer pushed Alnwick further down the Light Blues’ pecking order and it is Wes Foderingham and Robby McCrorie that have been the back-up to Steven Gerrard’s first choice shot-stopper this term.

Scunthorpe boss McCall could have former Gers keeper Matt Gilks available for selection sooner rather than later as he nears a return to action following a lengthy injury lay-off.

McCall said: “I have spoken to Gillo about things. I have known Gillo from my Scotland days and he is a great professional and a great goalkeeper. Naturally he just wants to play.

“I am led to believe unless things change that Rangers are happy.”