Rangers return for Bartley

05 August 2011 00:30

Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley is on his way back to Rangers on a season-long loan deal.

Bartley, 20, played for the Gers last year after joining in January and made nine appearances before an injury against PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League ended his season.

He has been with the Gunners' first-team squad in pre-season but manager Arsene Wenger has opted to send him back to Ibrox for the duration of the 2011/12 campaign.

Bartley, who has captained Arsenal's reserve side and made his debut for the first team in a Champions League clash with Olympiakos in 2009.

Competition at the Emirates Stadium has prevented him making his first-team breakthrough and he spent two loan spells in the Championship with Sheffield United.

The tall defender impressed during his time with Rangers, scoring the only goal in a tight match at St Mirren and taking the man-of-the match award.

Light Blues boss Ally McCoist has been working hard to re-sign the player, who is now expected to play some part in a friendly against Chelsea on Saturday.

Source: PA