George Overhill

Wed 22 November 2023 20:10, UK

Ross McCausland attracting interest in Europe is no surprise and Rangers “need to get him tied up soon”, according to Heart & Hand.

The official Rangers partner reacted via Twitter to reports from Italy that Atalanta and Roma are eyeing up the possibility of landing the Ibrox winger on a cut-price deal, with the Gers currently engaged in contract talks to extend his deal.

The 20-year-old has already long-entered the final year of his current contract and the pressure is on to get his future secured or risk losing him for a minimal compensation fee.

In response to the report from Italy Heart & Hand wrote: “Not surprised he’s attracting attention as the development fee would only be about 300k. Need to get him tied up soon.”

Clock ticking

There is said to be confidence at Ibrox that the Northern Irishman will sign a new deal but that doesn’t take the pressure off until it is sealed.

With clubs apparently queuing up ahead of January they will be straight onto his agent in the New Year to try to convince him to look for a new opportunity if the Light Blues let it get that far.

It would be far from a shock if McCausland’s representation haven’t already heard whispers of what he could be passing up on the continent, so Rangers can’t rest easy yet even if he seems happy to extend.

Having finally seen a youngster break out of the academy and look like he is set to have a telling impact on the first-team under Philippe Clement fans would be all the more disappointed for a homegrown player to be snatched away so quickly.

His introduction to the senior side on a sustained basis has come later than it might have done and required Michael Beale to be sacked before Steven Davis brought McCausland in.

That in turn appears to have pushed him back from committing the next few years to the club and has left the door ajar for rivals to steal him away.

In other Rangers news, news out of Ibrox this month should set “pretty serious alarm bells” ringing says one journalist.