ROSS McCausland insists there is confidence in the Rangers squad as they head into tomorrow evening’s UEFA Europa League match against Aris Limassol.
It’s the final home match of the group, with a win securing the Light Blues UEFA Europa League football after Christmas. Fresh off the back of signing a new long-term deal at the club, McCausland sat down with the media at today’s pre-match press conference.
Asked about the changes since the last match against the Cypriot side in October, the 20-year-old said: “There definitely has been change, I don't think in terms of mentality, I don't think we are going into games thinking differently. We have always thought the same and going into this game tomorrow we will be confident.
“I don't think the winning mentality ever disappeared, obviously with the new manager it does change things. I think for the past month now you do see a difference in the team and the change of structure, slight formation and things like that, so I think it does push the boys in a different way.”
On his new deal, McCausland said he has had ‘tunnel vision’ on a career at Rangers as he looks to cement his place in the first team moving forward.
He continued: “It is a dream come true, I know I keep saying it, but it is one of my dreams from a young age so to get this finally done and over the line it is amazing.
“It was a pretty easy decision, my decision to join the club when I was 16 was also an easy decision because I was at different clubs as well but just from the minute I walked in the door and the people around me I just love my time at Rangers.
“There was talk of other clubs but that wasn't something that I had on my mind. I just wanted to focus on being and doing what I was doing and obviously my international call-up came, so it wasn't on my mind to be honest I was just focused on Rangers.
“I want to cement my place in the team every week and with the chances I have had and the gaffer giving the chances I just need keep doing what I'm doing and taking all the feedback that I have been getting I think I have got a strong chance.
“He says to me obviously to keep doing what I have been doing well when I have been coming in I need to look at what is in front of me and what I need to work on so I have been working on that, on myself physically, tactically and mentally so hopefully if I keep working on that it will stand me in good stead.
“Rangers is such a big club, and it is so well thought of in Glasgow and back home as well so the reaction I have had from my family they are all proud as punch and it probably wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for them.
“I have been tunnel vision towards Rangers to be honest, so I plan to stay here for a long time.
“Every day my confidence is just getting higher and higher, and I think obviously playing with top players every day is only going to make me better.”
When asked about the influence of midfielder Steven Davis on his career so far, McCausland says he is grateful for the opportunities handed to him by the Northern Ireland international during his time as interim manager.
McCausland continued: “He is a good person to have to look up to, Steven Davis is so well-liked around the club, and I think everybody knows that so to have him taking on the interim was amazing and obviously getting on against St Mirren and Limassol I was grateful for.
“In terms of having stuff in common we pretty much have the same things in common so to be able to reach out to him and speak to him is good.
“When I was coming on in the St Mirren game and even in the Limassol game, he just said keep doing what you have been doing in training and obviously I did that. I think if you look at his silverware he has and the caps he has for Northern Ireland it is definitely one of my goals.”