Ross McCausland has been told he can reignite his international aspirations with Northern Ireland, but only if he finds a way out of his current standstill at Ibrox. Former international teammate Conor Washington believes the 23-year-old winger has all the tools required to make an impact at the highest level, provided he secures regular playing time elsewhere.

​McCausland returned to Glasgow in the summer following a loan spell in Cyprus with top-flight side Aris Limassol. Despite having the option to make his stay at the Alphamega Stadium permanent, the academy graduate chose to return to Scotland in hopes of establishing himself in the first team. While he expressed an eagerness to make his mark at Rangers, opportunities have remained virtually nonexistent.

​His season appeared to start with promise when he scored during a comprehensive 5-1 Premier Sports Cup victory against St Mirren in mid-August, shortly after sitting on the bench for a European qualifier against Jagiellonia. However, that outing proved to be his peak contribution this term, as he has not played a competitive minute since. With his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign, questions are mounting over where his long-term future lies.

​Washington, who shared the pitch with McCausland during the young winger’s senior international debut against Finland in November 2023, understands the harsh realities facing young players in Glasgow. Having spent time in Scottish football with Hearts, the veteran forward knows that the unrelenting scrutiny at clubs like Rangers often works against emerging talent.

​When a team is under pressure to deliver instant results, managers naturally rely on experienced heads rather than providing room for younger talents to learn through trial and error. Washington recalled being immediately impressed by McCausland’s direct style, sharp movement, and willingness to challenge defenders when he first broke into the national setup. For him, the current impasse is not an issue of quality, but rather one of circumstance.

​McCausland has earned five senior caps for Northern Ireland, but his last appearance came more than two years ago as a substitute in a Nations League defeat against Bulgaria. In the time since, Michael O’Neill’s squad has evolved, with players like Conor Bradley, Isaac Price, and Callum Marshall establishing themselves in wide and attacking areas.

​Breaking back into that group will require momentum that McCausland simply cannot build from the sidelines. Washington is adamant that writing the forward off would be a mistake, emphasizing that time is still on his side. To turn his fortunes around, however, the priority must be finding a manager and a system that will trust him week in and week out. Whether that means securing a fresh start in January or waiting until his contract ends in the summer, regular match action remains the only realistic route back to the international stage.