Alloa Athletic boss Danny Lennon swooped to sign Rangers star Robbie Crawford on loan for the rest of the season as the summer transfer deadline slammed shut.

The versatile midfielder, who can play anywhere across the middle of the pitch as well as at full back, is a welcome addition for the Wasps as they look to turn around their poor start to the season that has them rooted to the foot of the SPFL Championship table.

The Gers youngster, who spent four months on loan at Greenock Morton last season as they clinched the League One title, will wear the number 27 shirt and will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s crunch clash with fellow part-timers Dumbarton, and his new gaffer hopes he can have a positive impact in Clackmannanshire.

Lennon told Advertiser sport: “I am delighted with the addition of Robbie. We have signed him on loan from Rangers for the rest of the season. He is 22 years old, but has a great deal of experience under his belt already with 57 appearances for Rangers and 12 appearances for Morton during a short term loan last season.

“He is an attacking midfielder who plays on the right and in the centre. He has 8 goals and 7 assists in his young career so far and we fully expect he will add to that tally in an Alloa shirt this season.

“He is keen to prove he has what it takes to play at the highest level and we believe that Alloa can give him the right platform in the Championship to make the kind of contributions, week in, week out that prove that he has that kind of quality.” The Wasps’ boss also revealed that summer signing Omar Kader has left the club by mutual consent after discussions with the player this week.

Lennon added: “We signed Omar in the summer after he gave us a lot of problems in our two play-off games against Forfar last season.

“He is blessed with great pace, creativity and an eye for goal. He has also been a pleasure to work with in his time here.

“He is leaving to go abroad with his work for a few months and we have come to a mutual agreement to release him. We wish him every success in the future, both in his job and in football.” Advertiser sport understands the winger will now re-sign for former side Forfar Athletic over the next few days.

Meanwhile, the former St Mirren boss has promoted youth duo Lewis Wilson and Scott Hynd to the first team squad for the remainder of the season.