Rangers board make new Ross McCausland contract priority as talks continue while transfer interest spreads
Rangers have made it their “priority” to secure a new contract for Ross McCausland as they believe he could be their “next big star” out of the academy, according to the Daily Record.
The paper reported via their website on 21 November that with the 20-year-old locked in talks over a new deal the increasing interest in his services elsewhere threaten to see him leave for just £350,000 in training compensation.
The “growing” market for the winger has seen English Premier League side Brentford and Serie A pair Atalanta and Roma named as suitors.
Philippe Clement has already put his confidence in McCausland to the tune of five appearances and his first start for the club, after interim boss and compatriot Steven Davis had brought the Northern Irishman into the side following the sacking of Michael Beale.
And the new manager is aligned with the Ibrox board in backing the new deal as a matter of urgency.
No brainer
It is no surprise that the hierarchy at Rangers are looking to get this deal done and the question only has to be why they have allowed matters to reach this point.
Beale may have overlooked McCausland throughout his struggles to start the season but the youngster’s talent must have been evident behind the scenes.
He hasn’t shown any signs of hesitancy now he has been given his chance in the first team this term and was duly rewarded with a first cap for his country over the international break as recognition.
That shows that plenty of attention is being paid to his progress from outside of Ibrox and it increasingly looks like there will be no shortage of willing takers if the Gers can’t secure a new deal.
Since McCausland is himself a Light Blues fan it should help the club’s cause but if the likes of Jose Mourinho are set to come calling it wouldn’t be outside the realms of possibility that he could have his head turned.
The wide man has proven he can play a big part in whatever success Clement manages to secure this term and it would be a major blow to the manager to lose him so soon.
In other Rangers news, the sale of an unused ace would bring in “good money” to fund James Bisgrove’s promise for the January window.