Pundit View: Rangers fan fave to look over his shoulder after transfer news he’ll have heard

Ross McCausland will be looking over his shoulder at Rangers following the arrival of Oscar Cortes, according to Barry Ferguson.

Rangers announced the last-minute signing of 20-year-old Cortes from RC Lens on a loan deal with an option to make the transfer permanent in the summer (Rangers Official Website, 1 February).

In light of this news, former Ibrox captain Ferguson has written via the Daily Record (2 February) that McCausland might now be feeling the pressure.

“Just when you think you’ve earned your jersey, along come the likes of Claudio Reyna, Tugay and Ronald de Boer just to remind you that you can’t afford to take your foot off the gas.

“That’ll be the case now for Ross McCausland who has done exceptionally well, not just to break his way into the first team but to make himself a regular starter. But, from the moment he heard about the interest in Cortes, he’ll have realised he can’t afford to take anything for granted. That’s the way it was for me at that age and that’s the way it always has to be at Rangers.”

Competition

It is difficult to disagree with Ferguson, McCausland’s position in the team is certainly now under threat.

Both Cortes and McCausland are 20 years old, and it will be incredibly exciting for Philippe Clement to now have two young prospects in the same position within his squad.

While McCausland will be feeling the pressure, that can be a good thing and might bring out the best in the Northern Ireland international.

Having players competing for places in a squad is always positive, and Clement will likely be much happier with his options now than he was before the January transfer window opened.

McCausland has fought hard to earn his position in the Gers’ starting lineup, and he will now be motivated to work even harder to ensure that he keeps that spot.

With him and Cortes both pushing each other on the right-hand side, supporters at Ibrox could be in for some memorable performances on that flank in the coming month.