NafisaRangers could be heading towards a major decision over one of their first-team players, with Derek McInnes seemingly running out of reasons to keep faith in a talent who once looked destined to play a bigger role at Ibrox.
The situation has been developing quietly over recent months, but the approaching January transfer window could finally bring matters to a head.
What makes the situation particularly concerning is that the player was already expected to move on during the summer, only for a potential departure to fail to materialise.
Now, with opportunities becoming increasingly difficult to find and his contract situation adding further pressure, questions are being raised about whether his Rangers career can realistically be revived.
The latest report suggests the club could be preparing to part ways with the player in the new year. And if an exit does not happen in January, Rangers could face the prospect of losing him without receiving a transfer fee next summer.
According to Football Insider, transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke believes the player’s future at Ibrox is increasingly uncertain, with McInnes’ plans appearing to leave little room for a comeback.
Ross McCausland’s Rangers future in serious doubt
The player at the centre of the uncertainty is Ross McCausland, the 23-year-old Northern Ireland international who once enjoyed a promising spell in Rangers’ first team.
McCausland emerged as an exciting prospect during the 2023-24 campaign, raising hopes that he could establish himself as a regular contributor for the Scottish giants. However, his progress has since stalled, and he now appears to be facing a difficult battle to get his career back on track at Ibrox.
A loan spell at Aris Limassol last season was supposed to offer him an opportunity to gain experience and continue his development away from Glasgow.
He scored four goals in 26 appearances for the Cypriot club, but his future remained unresolved when the summer transfer window arrived. Despite expectations that he would leave Rangers, McCausland ultimately stayed.
That decision has so far done little to improve his situation.
McCausland has made just one appearance for Rangers this season, coming off the bench to score in an August Premier Sports Cup victory over St Mirren. Since then, regular first-team involvement has proved elusive.
His last appearance in a Rangers matchday squad came against Falkirk in the Premiership on 2 September. The continued absence has raised further questions about his standing under McInnes and whether he has any realistic chance of forcing his way back into contention.
January transfer window could decide his future
O’Rourke has now suggested that the upcoming transfer window could provide McCausland with a way out of his increasingly difficult situation.
Speaking on Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, the journalist indicated that the winger is well down the pecking order and could leave before his contract expires next summer.
He explained:
“There’s a big potential that could leave in January. He’s well down the pecking order in Derek McInnes’ plans.
“Many people had probably expected him to leave Ibrox in the summer, but that didn’t materialise. If he doesn’t leave in January, he’ll probably leave on a free next summer for sure.”
Those comments suggest McCausland’s future could depend on whether a suitable opportunity emerges in January.
For Rangers, allowing him to leave during the winter window could provide an opportunity to collect a transfer fee rather than risk losing him for nothing when his contract expires in June.
However, no completed transfer has been announced, and there is no confirmed destination for the winger at this stage. The report also does not identify a specific club preparing to sign him.
What appears increasingly clear is that McCausland needs a significant change in circumstances if he hopes to rebuild his position at Rangers.
His goal against St Mirren showed that he can still contribute, but one appearance has not been enough to convince McInnes to bring him back into the regular matchday picture.
Rangers also face growing interest in another key player
While McCausland appears to be moving closer to the exit, Rangers have a different concern surrounding one of their emerging defensive talents.
South African centre-back Olwethu Makhanya has reportedly attracted attention following an impressive start to his career at Ibrox.
The defender joined Rangers from Philadelphia Union and has already become a regular option in the Premiership, starting eight of the club’s nine league matches so far this season.
His growing importance has reportedly alerted clubs across Europe, with Football Insider claiming that Rangers are concerned about the possibility of his head being turned ahead of the January transfer window.
Sources have indicated that several clubs are monitoring Makhanya’s progress, although no completed move or formal offer has been confirmed in the report.
The contrast between the two situations is significant for Rangers. McCausland is struggling to secure a place under McInnes, while Makhanya has established himself as an important member of the side and could attract interest from clubs looking to strengthen their defence.
Rangers will be keen to avoid losing players who are becoming increasingly valuable to the manager’s plans, particularly while the squad continues to take shape under McInnes.
For McCausland, though, the immediate question is whether January will finally bring the departure that many expected to happen months earlier.
After once looking like a promising part of Rangers’ future, the winger now faces an uncertain few months. Unless his circumstances change dramatically, his time at Ibrox could be approaching its conclusion, with a January move potentially offering Rangers their last realistic opportunity to secure a fee for his services.
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