Ross McCausland, a young Rangers winger, has had a busy month.
After breaking into the Rangers first team, the teenager brought grace and vigor to the first squad in a series of substitute appearances.
McCausland’s first goal for the club was harshly disallowed.
Rangers are understood to be in talks over a new three-year contract for the 20-year-old, whose contract expires in the summer and carries a £300,000 development fee.
Ross McCausland is Rangers’ latest fully-fledged international footballer, having made his debut for Northern Ireland’s first team.
But whilst there’s not a bluenose out there who doesn’t like to see the club’s top talents come through, Ross McCausland will have to buck a recent trend when it comes to the club’s academy.
Ross McCausland latest Rangers academy starlet
Rangers have handed debuts to several young starlets in their squad over the last few seasons, while a few of them have also had extended runs in the first team.
Alex Lowry was going to be the next big thing after breaking through at Ibrox at the start of 2022 but after a serious injury last season he’s now on loan at Hearts.
Whilst there remains high hopes over the kid, Rangers fan expectation has been tempered in the short terms and fans will reserve judgement until next season.
Centre-back Leon King is another who has had some serious exposure at first-team level, although being heavily involved in last season’s Champions League humiliation has been steep learning curve.
Yet to appear this season, we reckon there’s some scar tissue there and whilst links to Manchester United followed, Leon appears further away from the top team than ever.
Adam Devine is another who broke through last season, deputising at left-back amid injury, but was snubbed in similar circumstances by Philippe Clement this season.
Robby McCrorie – albeit now 25 – impressed after finally getting the gloves last season but this campaign has been usurped by Jack Butland.
The Scotland goalkeeper has also been urged to move on by Steve Clarke.
Nathan Patterson did make a consistent impact and after being sold to Everton in a £16m deal you can’t really take anything away from Rangers here.
Then there are the likes of Cole McKinnon, Bailey Rice, Zak Lovelace and even Johnly Yfeko, who’ve made brief appearances but are still some way off the top team.
Ross McCausland might be the latest Rangers star to make the breakthrough, but the challenge for the winger is showing a consistency and staying power we’ve not yet seen.
Yes, there is talent in the Gers ranks and Philippe Clement has proven he’s not afraid to use it.
But can Ross McCausland buck the trend and be a genuine Rangers difference-maker in the seasons ahead?
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