Rangers B coach David McCallum singled out Ross McCausland for praise after two “top class” goals in yesterday’s 3-0 UEFA Youth League thrashing of Hammarby, speaking to the club’s official website.
With the ink still drying on a three-year contract he signed just two days ago, McCausland celebrated in style as rampant Rangers put their Stockholm-based opponents to the sword at The Rock.
And while Murray Miller and Cole McKinnon dictated proceedings in the centre of the park while Robbie Ure led the line with technique and tenacity, the 18-year-old Irishman was the star of the show.
McCausland thrashed his first of the night through the Hammarby goalkeeper but, if that was a strike of sheer power, his second was all about precision.
A subtle dink highlighted the teenager’s improving confidence and composure in the final third, something McCallum was keen to reference at full-time.
Could Ross McCausland follow in Nathan Patterson’s footsteps at Rangers?
“You can see what Ross has got in talent, two goals tonight that were top class,” McCallum said after Rangers made their first UEFA Youth League appearance since a 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid 19 months ago.
“But he’s not the only one. Everyone has that challenge to try to get to a level that makes the first team talk about them.
“We’re here to get (youth players) to the level that gets the first team staff to think of them and it’s up to that player to try to get ahead of who is already there.
“That’s not an easy challenge. It shouldn’t be when you’re at Rangers.”
Nathan Patterson was in the starting line-up for that four-goal humbling at the hands of a Ricardo Riquelme-inspired Atletico in February 2020.
And the rampaging right-back will act as an inspiration to the likes of McCausland, Miller and McKinnon. A reminder that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough in the eyes of Steven Gerrard.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
