Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill on Ross McCausland’s Rangers issues

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill on Ross McCausland’s Rangers issues

A fortnight without club football, then, arguably comes at the worst time.

But maybe not for everyone at Ibrox.

No fewer than twelve Rangers players may be in action for their country this week. The number initially stood at eleven, but increased by one when Mohamed Diomande was parachuted into the Ivory Coast squad due to a late, injury-enforced pull-out.

Tom Lawrence and Nedim Bajrami may be glad to escape the Rangers bench for a couple of weeks, called up by Wales and Albania respectively.

Ross McCausland’s inclusion in the Northern Ireland roster, meanwhile, could see the Rangers winger make only his third start for club and country across the entire New Year.

Only five months ago, Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill was positively glowing in his praise for the Country Antrim-born youngster.

Ross McCausland is ‘a player with a lot to offer’, the manager said. A winger who ‘impacts the game and has the capability to score as well’.

Flash forward to March, however, and McCausland links up with the rest of the Northern Ireland squad in very different circumstances. Last season’s breakout star can hardly buy a place in the Rangers XI these days.

Of course, there is no shame in being relegated to the bench behind the 17-goal sensation that is Vaclav Cerny.

Yet, on the occasions when McCausland has played – only three goals and one assist from 23 appearances – the youngster has often underwhelmed.

There was never any suggestion that McCausland would lose his spot in O’Neill’s squad, however. The former Stoke City coach is keen to take a closer look at a player who could be a regular fixture in the Northern Ireland XI for a decade to come, having seen McCausland miss out due to injury a couple of times in the autumn.