By Dan Carter

21st Nov, 2023 | 9:10am

Barry Ferguson drops verdict on Brentford's pursuit of Rangers gem Ross McCausland live on air

Barry Ferguson has dropped his verdict on Brentford’s interest in Rangers gem Ross McCausland, as he hopes the winger will sign a new deal at Ibrox.

The Northern Irish international who has broken into the first team under Philippe Clement has been linked with a move to Thomas Frank’s side, with the Bees reportedly keeping tabs on the winger as he nears the end of his contract [Daily Record, 20 November].

While the offer of Premier League football may be tempting, Ferguson likes to think that he’ll commit his future to the Ibrox club and continue to establish himself as a mainstay in Rangers starting XI in the coming months.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show (20 November, 37:53) he said: “I think there’s a contract on the table from Rangers so I’d like to think where he’s been given a chance, he’ll put pen to paper and he’ll commit to a new contract at Rangers.

“He’s been a breath of fresh air, to be honest with you since he’s come into the team, he’s come off the bench and did really well, got his first start against Livingston, I thought he was really good.

“I would like to see him stay put, as I said, I always like to see young players come through the system and that’s what he’s done and hopefully he’ll sign a new deal.

“He’s shown that he’s more than capable. Now it’s just about kicking on, ‘Can I go and cement a place in that Rangers team?’ He’s certainly got the attributes, now it’s just about making sure you keep your head down, feet on the ground, work hard and try and become a regular.”

Sign him on

It is widely understood that Rangers have also submitted their own contract proposal to McCausland and you would like to think that Ferguson is right in his assessment that the 20-year-old would be eager to extend his stay in Glasgow rather than head south.

Clement has shown immense trust in the winger and has given him plenty of opportunity to impress at the highest level, both in the Scottish Premiership and Europa League and it would be stupid of the Rangers gem to throw that chance away.

The Premier League is obviously an enticing prospect for any player and Brentford are a progressive club, but should he move to London, McCausland would have no guarantee of featuring every week and would no longer be playing European football.

Signing a new deal at Ibrox would allow him to be able to kick on and establish himself as part of the furniture in the Rangers’ starting XI. Hopefully, he agrees with Ferguson’s verdict that extending his stay in Glasgow is his best career move.

In other Rangers news, one journalist has suggested it could take £5 million for the Gers to sign Lawrence Shankland this summer