
Ross McCausland was delighted to feature in last night’s 2-1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox.
The Northern Irishman replaced fellow Academy graduate Leon King early in the first-half, after the defender had picked up a head knock, and Ross played in an unfamiliar right-back role with skipper James Tavernier featuring in central defence.
Goals from Nico Raskin and Vaclav Cerny clinched victory for Philippe Clement’s side who now avoid a two-legged play off tie and progress directly to the last 16 of the Europa League.
McCausland says the competition is one the players all relish.
He told RangersTV: “I am not surprised anymore to be fair with Rangers in the Europa League.
“I think it just goes to show that we are capable and we can do this and we relish this competition.
“The boys are all proud and we are just happy where we have come.
“All the players are proud as punch and we are just happy to get into the top eight.
“When the players came off the bench at the end of the game they were letting everyone know (we had reached the last 16) and then the word got about.
“To be able to hear that at the end of the game it is almost like a relief but we are just proud.
“I obviously come on in an unnatural position at right-back so I am just happy to be able to come on and play my part in the team.
“It is different to be fair, I felt quite comfortable enough in that sense.
“I have played there a few times in training and stuff like that but never really in a match scenario, it is a whole lot different.
“That just goes to show you need to be able to watch other players in different positions so if you do need to play that position that you are ready to go and do the job.
“I always say you need to be ready in these situations because you can come on in the first minute.
“I thought Tav was excellent (at centre back). He is another player who has been put into a different position and has done his job as he does time and time again.
“All round it was just a great performance from all the boys.
“To be able to go and play these different positions which a numerous amount of lads have done over the course of the season definitely does show a lot of character within the group.”
Fellow Academy graduates Zak Lovelace and Paul Nsio also featured for the Light Blues with Nsio making his European debut for the Light Blues.
Ross was also thrilled to see the pair in action in such an important game.
He added: “Sharing a pitch with Academy players is amazing, obviously that was me maybe a year ago and to see them follow in the same footsteps is amazing.
“European games, playing in massive games and experiencing massive nights at Ibrox in front of the amazing fans, it is something that you will not get anywhere else.”
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