Ross McCausland admits he got lost in his Malmo moment.
But he is confident Rangers won’t be found wanting as they prepare to run out in front of a full house at Ibrox for the first time this season. The Northern Irish kid’s clinical strike sealed an impressive 2-0 victory at the Eleda Stadion on Thursday night. The Light Blues smashed their Swedish hoodoo to get their Europa League campaign off to a flyer. The goal sparked wild scenes in the away end as the 1500-strong band of travelling supporters erupted with joy.
But McCausland confessed he was left spinning as he tried to work out just where he should be running to join in the jubilant celebrations. Now having made it three straight wins since their Old Firm defeat this month, it’s full-steam ahead for Philippe Clement’s side as they look to kick on. McCausland said: “When I scored it took me a minute to process where the fans were, so I had to turn around.
“When you score in such a big game, it’s almost like you black out for a second. But obviously I was buzzing to be able to contribute. The boys did so well and we deserved it.
“We came off the back of the Celtic game and knew we had to be better. It was a tough situation to be in and the fans expect much more from us so we’re glad we were able to deliver.
“Patience is the best way to describe it, not getting too low or too high. With a new group, and a lot of new players in the building, it’s going to take us a while to gel.
“You can see that now with our performances. People are looking more comfortable around each other and stuff like that. So it’s looking good.”
It’s not just on the park that things are looking brighter after a summer of gloom. Off it, there’s relief that Gers chiefs have been given a thumbs-up from Glasgow City Council safety inspectors to throw the doors open on the renovated Copland Road end and welcome back a capacity crowd for today’s Hibs clash.
“It’ll be amazing to see everybody there, full and raring to go,” said McCausland. “Against Dundee last week it was massive the difference being back home instead of being at Hampden.
“Being back at Ibrox is going to be probably one of our biggest things for the rest of the season. We’ve obviously been at Hampden for cup games previously and the atmosphere there is normally good.
“But it’s hard for the league games, especially with the travel for the fans. i understand that so to be back at Ibrox is going to be massive.”
Clement’s team are going to need every ounce of backing their home faithful can muster as they attempt to heave their weary legs back into action fewer than 72 hours after taking on Malmo. But McCausland reckons it won’t take his team long to find their rhythm amid that hectic schedule.
The 21-year-old – whose side will be back in Euro action on Thursday night when they host Lyon at home – said: “That’s the joys of being a footballer at a club like Rangers. You have so many periods in the season where it is going to be like this.
“You might only have a day to recover. But that’s just part and parcel of the game and it’s something that we were very good at last year. It’s all about bouncing off the back of this Malmo victory and focusing on our next match.”
Clement’s plans for the trip to southern Sweden were disrupted before they’d even boarded the plane. Being without banned Brazilian Jefte and crocked duo Ridvan Yilmaz and Oscar Cortes was problematic enough.
But losing striker Hamza Igamane to a visa cock-up was a frustration the big Belgian could have done without. But you wouldn’t have known Gers were down to the bare bones as they outplayed the Allsvenskan champions.
McCausland said: “The players who were missing on Thursday, I think you can clearly see that they would add quality to our group. But as you saw with the players coming in, they’re starting to make a difference in the team.
“The way we played without the injured boys was good but with them filtering back in, they’re going to add quality to the group. I can see the squad improving with each training session. Players are coming out of their shell and gelling together.
“That’s always the case when new players come in the door – it takes them time to settle. But you can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel now.”
It was McCausland who outshone one of those new recruits on Thursday. He took Czech international Vaclav Cerny’s place when he was introduced with 20 minutes left – and soon took the plaudits too as he produced the goal that mashed Malmo.
But McCausland said: “I get on well with Vaclav. He’s played at the top level so I could take a lot of experience from him and bring that into my game.
“He’s left footed and I’m right footed, so we have a bit different playing style. But he’s always good with me in terms of telling me to be ready and stuff like that. So it’s good to have a role model.”