Pundit raves over Ross McCausland, he’s ‘set the benchmark’ for Rangers’ young gems
We’re delighted to welcome former Ibrox star Derek Ferguson as our exclusive Rangers columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points in Govan…
Ross McCausland has “set the benchmark” for any Rangers youngster who wants to stake a claim for more regular first-team action by featuring against Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup, Derek Ferguson has said.
The Gers are currently on a midseason break from domestic duties but return on 20 January in the fourth round where the likes of Leon King and Adam Devine might hope for a chance to impress boss Philippe Clement.
One youngster who has earned plenty of recognition this term is 20-year-old McCausland, who has 13 Scottish Premiership appearances to his name this term – seven as a starter.
Former Rangers midfielder Ferguson – speaking to Ibrox News – says he is the player others have to emulate if they want to make the step up to the first team regularly.
“(The young players should start) if they’ve earned the right, I don’t think just because it’s Dumbarton that all of a sudden you should throw in a few of the youngsters,” he said.
“I think we’ve got to recognise as well we’ve got a few guys coming back from injury, so it might be the ideal opportunity to give these guys a bit of game time.
“I think McCausland, he’s set the benchmark. He was given his opportunity with certain circumstances, obviously players being out injured, he’s come in and taken it absolutely brilliantly.
“It’s not just about being a football player it’s about handling what goes with it, young McCausland has shown he can do that so the boys you’re mentioning it would be nice but I think the bigger picture is if we can get some of these guys coming back, the Raskins hopefully, the Jacks, even Dowell who’s come back into the fray.
“We need to think about these guys because we’ve got a big squad, we’re going into this period we’re going to have to kind of get these players up to speed as quick as because we want to win these games in hand put a bit of pressure on Celtic and see where we go with it.
“But ideally I love to see youngsters in the side but you’ve got to earn the right.”
In other Rangers news, David Edgar slams the club as as a legal battle concludes with compensation paid.