CALLUM BURNSIDE has credited the influence of his Northern Irish compatriot Ross McCausland on helping him settle into life at Rangers.
The Under-18s midfielder joined the Gers Academy full-time in the summer of 2023.
Indeed, the teenager trod a similar path to McCausland in arriving in Glasgow as a fresh-faced 16-year-old having come through the youth ranks at Linfield.
And Burnside says he cannot be more grateful to McCausland, who is now a regular member of Philippe Clement’s first-team squad, for his help and advice in helping him adjust to life at the Light Blues.
Speaking to the official Rangers website, Burnside, who celebrated his 18th birthday yesterday, said of McCausland’s influence: “Ross used to always come round and speak to me about how I’m getting on and if I’m enjoying it.
“He always told me that I could speak to him if I had any problems and that he would always be around the club.
“I had been over [to Rangers] training quite a bit, and I had Mason [Munn] and Ross over here.
“They helped me a lot when I first came over, and Ross always used to be at my digs a lot as he used to stay there before me.
“I knew Mason through the Northern Ireland youth set-up too.
“I definitely would have struggled [without those two].
“You don’t tend to speak to everyone when you first come over and knowing I could speak to Blaine [McClure], Mason and Ross was good.
“It was helpful them being here.
“Ross was with the B Team when I first came in and it just shows what can happen when you put in the hard work to get round to the first-team.
“There’s definitely a chance of getting into the first-team.
“What Ross has done is unbelievable and I just want to follow in his footsteps.”
Burnside has been a regular for Steven Smith’s Under-18s side this campaign as they target success in the CAS Elite Under-18 League.
The 18-year-old also made the step-up and was part of the squad which lifted the Glasgow Cup at The city Stadium in December.
His performances have also been rewarded with opportunities to train with the first-team on occasion, which the teenager believes is always a chance to catch the eye of Clement and his coaching staff.
He added: “I think I’ve improved into a more complete player and I can play in a lot of different positions.
“I’ve played in a few roles already for Rangers.
“There’s a higher physical demand when you move up a level and the speed of the players is different entirely.
“You don’t get as much as time on the ball at a higher level, but I do enjoy my time with the Under-18s as I can express myself and do what I can do.
“It's all about learning and hopefully the next step is the first-team.
“Nico Raskin has really impressed me when I have trained with the first-team.
“Connor Barron was really good too, as well as Dujon Sterling, and Leon Balogun demands massive standards off everyone.
“That was another step up when I’ve trained with the senior team: the demands are even higher in the way that you pass the ball, finish, and the runs that you make.”