International winger sets sights on Rangers impact, no more excuses

01/05/2024 12:30

One of the highlights of Rangers season has been the emergence of Ross McCausland into the first-team. 

At the start of the season, academy players like Zak Lovelace and Bailey Rice would probably have been the favourites to cross dressing rooms in Auchenhowie. 

Instead, Rangers have added another international footballer to their ranks after Ross McCausland added recognition with Northern Ireland to his Viaplay cup winner's medal – the Light Blues winger now knows that the bar has been raised. 

• READ MORE: 7 best Rangers loan signings of all-time

Rangers future is bright if Ross McCausland takes next step

McCausland started the season on fire for the B team, scoring goals and impressing with more direct and aggressive performances. 

How he got his chance was down to Rangers bad luck with injuries but good luck for the 20-year old winger. 

McCausland had made his debut under Giovanni van Bronkhorst coming off the bench against Hearts at Tynecastle and chipping in with an assist.

The early signs were promising.

It was compatriot Steven Davis who gave him his chance this season against St Mirren, coming off the bench to replace fellow academy hopeful Lovelace.

Philippe Clement was obviously impressed with what he saw and McCausland has kept his place, leaping to his defence when asked about criticism of the youngsters lack of numbers: 

“I see a player who was, four months ago, playing in the second team and who has been important in several games already this season.

“It is a big step up from playing for the second team to playing with Rangers.

“It is not only about goals and statistics. It is about all the other things you do.

“How he presses, how he wins balls, how he keeps possession for the team, how he works, how he is in the building.

“Four months ago, he was a player playing in the second team who nobody knew.

“Now, he has already played a lot of games for Rangers, been decisive in games and played for his national team.”

McCausland is also aware that he will no longer be allowed to make excuses for his relative inexperience speaking after being revealed on the shortlist for PFA Young Player of the Year:

"When you are young, you go through a stage in the game where it is all upwards. Then you get to a point where you are not judged as a young player anymore.

“When you are a young player and you are playing, all you can be is fearless and bring loads of energy to the game." 

McCausland has to target an improved end product

McCausland now has to kick on to the next level. 

Working hard, pressing and being a good team player are all important traits to have, but a Rangers winger needs to be a matchwinner.

They are the players trusted to do most of the creativity and to chip in with goals and assists.

With three goals and four assists in 36 appearances, he has a long way to go yet before his place in the first-team can be taken for granted.

What he has shown, is that he can be trusted which in itself should serve as a lesson for Philippe Clement.

Realistically, would Cole McKinnon have struggled to offer what players like Jose Cifuentes, Nicolas Raskin and Kieran Dowell have this season? 

We'll never know unless they are trusted, a trust that Ross McCausland has been lucky to receive.