Ross McCausland admits Rangers journey doubts but insists Serie A suitors had no chance of tempting him

Ross McCausland is back in the Rangers reckoning thanks to a helping hand from Steven Davis.

Now the young Ibrox prospect admits he’d love nothing more than to follow the Light Blues legend’s footsteps as he seeks to make his own mark for both club and country. Gio van Bronckhorst may have been the man who gave the 20-year-old his debut at Tynecastle just days before the Dutchman and his team jetted off for Seville.

But it was one of the stars of that Europa League run less than 18 months on who has been responsible for McCausland ’s real breakthrough. Davis could have turned to more seasoned campaigners as he took charge of the team in Cyprus last month for the clash with Aris Limassol but instead went with his compatriot as he shook things up in the second half. The former Ibrox captain - a legend in the eyes of both the Gers and Nothern Ireland faithfuls, not to mention Britain’s most capped international - then opted for the former Linfield kid as he wrapped up his brief stint as caretaker gaffer against St Mirren.

It was a major show of faith as he trusted the fresh-faced winger ahead of big money summer recruits Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers when Zak Lovelace limped off. But once given that opportunity, McCausland hasn’t let down either Davis or the man who’s since come in as Gers new permanent boss, Philippe Clement, putting in a string of impressive performances that have since earned him a Northern Ireland debut.

It’s only a start but the boyhood Bluenose would love nothing more than to carve out the same kind of career role model Davis managed over his two spells at Ibrox. “He’s a good person to have to look up to,” said McCausland. “ Steven Davis is so well liked around the club. Everybody knows that.

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