Michael Stewart calls out Ross McCausland live on BBC Sportsound in Rangers v Hearts
Michael Stewart has insisted that Rangers winger Ross McCausland had to "do better" with a chance he created for Cyriel Dessers in the 3-3 draw against Hearts on 18 May.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound after Dessers had fired the chance straight into the gloves of Hearts goalkeeper, Stewart said that McCausland could have given the striker a better opportunity to score.
The academy product did praise the winger for creating the chance but acknowledged that the ball into Dessers could have been more accurate as Philippe Clement's side went into the interval losing 1-0.
Stewart said at half-time: "(Dessers) has got to score, but I would say McCausland needs to do better. He's under no pressure because he's done well to win it, but he plays it ever so slightly behind Dessers."
Ross McCausland rewards Rangers in second half v Hearts
Rangers youngster McCausland has had a breakthrough season in 2023-24, with his start on the right flank at Tynecastle being his 30th league appearance of the campaign.
The Gers are set for a huge summer rebuild with plenty of loanees likely to return to parent clubs and even more players out of contract, and McCausland's place in Clement's squad has also come into question.
Amidst talks that he could drop down the pecking order and face a summer move away, McCausland responded to his and Dessers' missed first-half chance by going all the way himself in the second period.
With the Gers struggling to establish any form of control, McCausland dragged down a high ball, darted in between two Hearts defenders, and curled a fine shot into the bottom corner off the left-hand post to make it 1-1.
It spurred Rangers on to take a 3-1 lead, but despite McCausland's best efforts in a 90-minute performance, Hearts scored twice late and secured a point.
That's certainly some way to respond to criticism and questions about your place in the team, and that individual strike from the Northern Irishman could book him a starting berth in next weekend's Scottish Cup Final.
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