NafisaRangers could be preparing for another departure as Derek McInnes continues to shape his squad at Ibrox, with one first-team player facing an increasingly uncertain future after struggling to establish himself this season.
The situation has become particularly interesting because the upcoming January transfer window could offer an opportunity for the player to secure a fresh start elsewhere.
After spending time away from Glasgow on loan, his return has done little to change his position in the pecking order, raising questions about whether his Rangers career is approaching its final chapter.
And with a contract situation that could become increasingly important in the months ahead, the latest exit report has put his future firmly in the spotlight. The possibility of a move to another club will inevitably attract attention, especially if it means Rangers could lose a player without receiving a transfer fee further down the line.
The name at the centre of the speculation is Ross McCausland, who could now face a crucial decision about his future at Ibrox.
McCausland faces uncertain Rangers future under McInnes
According to Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, McCausland is expected to leave Rangers during the January transfer window after falling down the pecking order under McInnes.
The 23-year-old winger spent last season on loan at Aris Limassol in Cyprus, where he scored four goals in 26 appearances. However, his return to Rangers has not resulted in a regular role in the first team.
McCausland has made just one appearance for Rangers this season, coming off the bench during the Premier Sports Cup victory over St Mirren in August. He managed to score in that match, but he has struggled to build on that contribution and has not featured in a matchday squad since the game against Falkirk on September 2.
That lack of involvement has raised further questions about his prospects under McInnes, particularly with Rangers competing for domestic honours and the manager having several attacking options available.
For a player who needs regular football to continue developing, another spell on the sidelines could make a departure increasingly attractive.
January could be crucial as contract deadline approaches
The timing of the speculation is significant because McCausland’s Rangers contract is due to expire in June 2027.
If he remains at Ibrox until the end of his deal without agreeing an extension, he could leave as a free agent next summer. That would leave Rangers facing the possibility of losing a player without collecting a transfer fee.
A January departure would therefore give the club an opportunity to secure a fee, while allowing McCausland to find a new environment where he could enjoy more consistent playing time.
O’Rourke’s report suggests that the winger is well down McInnes’ current pecking order, with a January exit increasingly likely. If a move does not materialise during the winter window, the prospect of leaving when his contract expires could become more relevant.
For McCausland, the priority will be finding a club where he can play regularly and get his career moving again. His experience at Aris Limassol demonstrated that he can contribute goals, but his limited involvement since returning to Scotland has left his longer-term future uncertain.
Could Celtic or another Rangers rival make a move?
The prospect of McCausland leaving Rangers naturally raises questions about where he might end up, particularly given the rivalry between the Ibrox club and Celtic.
A move to Celtic would be an especially controversial possibility for Rangers supporters, but there is currently no confirmed report that the Parkhead club are pursuing the winger.
The reported possibility of a January departure does, however, leave the door open to interest from clubs looking for an attacking player with experience in Scottish football and a need for regular minutes.
Any potential destination would depend on the offers available, Rangers’ willingness to sanction a transfer and McCausland’s own preference.
McInnes faces a decision over McCausland’s future
McInnes must now weigh up the benefits of keeping McCausland in the squad against the possibility of securing a transfer before the player’s contract enters its final months.
Rangers will want to maintain enough depth for the second half of the campaign, but keeping a player who is struggling for opportunities may not serve either party if his long-term future lies elsewhere.
The January window could therefore become an important turning point. A permanent move would give McCausland the chance to rebuild his career, while Rangers could potentially receive a fee rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer.
For now, the latest report points towards an increasingly uncertain future for the 23-year-old at Ibrox. Whether he ultimately leaves in January or sees out the remaining months of his contract remains to be seen, but his lack of involvement under McInnes has made his situation one to watch as the transfer window approaches.
Nafisa
