Ross McCausland won’t play for Rangers again – Three things we learned v Aberdeen
Rangers played out a 2-2 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
With one eye on the second leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie with Athletic Bilbao on Thursday (17 April), Barry Ferguson rang the changes against Aberdeen on 13 April.
While Leighton Clarkson put the Dons in front against a new-look Rangers after the half-hour mark, Ross McCausland put the visitors in trouble by getting sent off in the 40th minute.
Pape Habib Gueye took advantage of the Gers’ situation to double the lead for Aberdeen four minutes later.
However, Hamza Igamane halved the deficit early on in the second half before Ianis Hagi grabbed an equaliser seconds before full-time.
With that result, Celtic have all but clinched the Premiership title.
Here are three things we learned from the fixture:
Ferguson must answer questions about defence
Ferguson deserves credit for leading Rangers to the Europa League last-eight and holding Bilbao to a 0-0 draw at Ibrox in the first leg of the quarter-final on Thursday (10 April) after going a man down.
However, the caretaker manager must address his team’s defensive frailties if he wants to keep his hopes of becoming the Gers’ permanent boss alive.
The Ibrox outfit have conceded two or more goals in seven of the nine games they have played under the 39-year-old in all competitions.
Ferguson cannot hope to remain as the Light Blues’ boss beyond this season with such a record.
Igamane must start v Athletic Bilbao
Igamane has struggled for goals in the second half of the season. The opener for Rangers against Aberdeen was only his second one in the Premiership since February.
However, the Morocco international has shown that he is a man for the big occasions on multiple occasions this season, not least by scoring the winner in the 3-2 victory over Celtic at Parkhead in March.
| Minutes | Shots on target | Chances Created | Successful dribbles | Duels Won | Duels Lost |
| 90′ | 2/3 (67%) | 1 | 3/7 (67%) | 8 | 15 (Most) |
Ferguson needed the striker to step up after his side went two goals behind and a man down, and that is exactly what he did.
The Rangers boss will want such a personality in the second leg of the Europa League tie with Bilbao in Spain on Thursday and that is why the 22-year-old must lead the line on that occasion.
McCausland will not play for Rangers again
On paper, this was a rare opportunity for McCausland to impress Ferguson, as it was his first Scottish Premiership start since October.
Having witnessed his abysmal performance, it is safe to say that he fumbled the chance big time.
The Northern Ireland international was underwhelming even before the red card incident, with Ian Crocker describing one of his crosses as “awful” on Sky Sports at one point.
Meanwhile, fans were quick to hit out at the 21-year-old after he was given his marching orders, with many deeming him unworthy of playing for Rangers at the highest level.
Therefore, it will not be a surprise if McCausland does not play for Ferguson or the Gers ever again.