Rangers B 4-1 Alloa Athletic

Rangers B 4-1 Alloa Athletic

SPFL Trust Trophy

Tuesday 26th September 2023

Typically pish Scottish weather, six hours traveling, two buses and two trains required to go and watch Ross McCausland in this game and I could have hardly picked a better one as he was directly involved in three of the four goals Rangers scored as they booked their place in the next round of the SPFL Trust Trophy with this win over Alloa Athletic.

Ironically, the first time I ever watched Ross was at Alloa’s ground 19 months ago when the B Team beat Broomhill - and he created such a positive impression in the space of 90 minutes that I’ve followed his career closely from that night onwards. 

Anyone who knows me will know how highly I rate him. Along with being a brilliant and humble lad (most important thing) who is an absolute credit to his family, he’s also genuinely one of the best players in the U18s-21s age bracket I’ve watched anywhere over the past few years; quick, sharp, tidy, a brilliant attitude and right now he’s flowing with confidence and buzzing having had such a positive start to the season where his end product has been quality (six or seven goals already going into this game - I will admit there’s been that many I’ve lost count), his performances both consistent and very impressive, and he’s become one of the names on everyone’s lips earning plaudits far and wide and very respected for who he is.

I didn’t need any ‘reward’ for going to watch him in this game as I knew beforehand that I’d be watching a quality player who I love to bits in his element and doing what he enjoys - and it took the wee man just six minutes to show what he’s capable of as he put Rangers infront with a goal that just underlines what he can do.

Nipping in to win the ball about 25-30 yards out, he twisted, turned, beat his man, took it past another and rode a challenge to create space for himself for an opening and despite a few premature half-appeals for a free-kick, he subsequently hit a shot which was lashed with power and precision straight past the rooted Alloa ‘keeper.

It raised a smile. For anyone else, it would be a quality finish. For Ross McCausland that’s just normal and a fantastic example of what he can do when he’s full of confidence, how good he is, and exactly why I think the world of him. Absolutely love it!

With Rangers attacking well and looking in a determined mood at this point, I was already thinking it might become the Ross McCausland show and a second goal very nearly came because in Rossy’s next involvement, he chased down Alloa’s No.2 on the edge of the visitors’ box, forced a mistake and the ball eventually reached Zak Lovelace who let fly with a zipping effort that was brilliantly palmed over by the ‘keeper.

McCausland and Lovelace linked up again a few minutes later; Rossy this time being given the ball cheaply inside his own half, driving with it like a knife through butter for 40-50 yards and eventually releasing it out towards the right for Lovelace who flashed a ball through the six-yard box, but on the back of that opening Alloa soon went close themselves at the other end through Connor Sammon who blazed over.

As the first half wore on, you felt that if Rangers made it 2-0 then they’d probably win quite comfortably, whereas if the visitors got the next goal instead, then it would become one of those tight and difficult-to-call games.

And as half-time approached, Alloa got better. They’d already had a few chances when just a few minutes before the break they finally put the ball in the net; Paul Nsio being off the pitch having received treatment when Rangers had to defend against a corner, and unable to clear their lines properly, Quinn Coulson’s curling effort came back off the post and dropped for Morgyn Neill who slotted home the rebound from eight yards to make it 1-1.

The second half then proved to be pretty tight with not much in the way of goalmouth action happening at either end for a long spell. Instead a torrential downpour soaked the players and made their shirts feel much heavier, it was difficult conditions, and the extra concentration required by everyone meant things became very tight and tentative.

Ross McCausland had a few involvements; including a good dribble from right to left in one instance - across the box and then into the area where his shot was blocked - great technique nonetheless and another little glimpse of what he can do. He tried to play a couple of through balls which nearly worked out but Alloa just about maintained their shape to prevent being caught and as the rain finally eased with about 10-15 minutes remaining, penalties seemed the most likely outcome.

Alloa even went close a couple of times in the last 10 minutes but then, with about five minutes to go, Rangers made the breakthrough to re-take the lead - and of course Ross McCausland was involved. Switching the ball from right to left and finding Robbie Fraser inside the box who cleverly knocked it back for Findlay Curtis to slot the ball home for a goal which he’ll remember fondly for years to come.

And then the game was wrapped up just over a minute or so later when Findlay Curtis turned architect as he latched onto a ball forward that caused confusion in the Alloa defence, rounded the ‘keeper to an extent and squared it for James Graham who had a simple finish with an open goal at his mercy.

The 3-1 scoreline possibly flattered Rangers but in the last action of the game it was 4-1. 

Ross McCausland (again) found the feet of Christopher Eadie who beat his man and got into the box and was brought down by the Alloa ‘keeper. The referee had no other choice and after Rossy grabbed the ball and gave it to Arron Lyall, he slammed home his spot-kick to ensure it was a good night for the young lads and they’ll now ‘host’ Airdrieonians (not sure where but possibly at Cappielow again) in the next round.

On the whole though, a pleasure to witness the game, see Ross McCausland in his element - smiling, happy, enjoying his football, impacting a game so positively and contributing so much towards the outcome.

His first touch was decent (proven various times). Technique class; you only have to watch his goal to see that. He looked sharp, slick, tidy, tried to link things up and be positive in the attacking third by wanting to find team-mates and make something happen and although there are a few bits and pieces still for him to learn and improve, it’s minor stuff when you look at the bigger picture and what’s clear is that he’s got so much talent, is a good player, is absolutely flying with self-belief and confidence right now (again, just look at his end product - goals/assists and performances so far this season) and he is an absolute asset to have in a team. 

It’s exactly why I rate him and have been mentioning his name to everyone for the past 19 months. It’s why I respect him so much and wanted to be at this game because I knew I’d see a quality player in their element!

Keep it up, keep enjoying your football, keep making your family forever proud by just being you and having fun, and whatever happens in the next few weeks/months and years ahead (and I’d love to see you get the Northern Ireland cap at some point because you deserve that - and it will be such a special moment if/when it does happen) then, as you know already, you’ve got my full support for the rest of your career - and it was good to finally speak to you for a few minutes afterwards last night at long last!

Class player! And my absolute pleasure to be there to see this game!

Amongst some of the others; Robbie Fraser did well and got two assists (just about) and was great down the left at times, Zak Lovelace showed snippets of what he can do (deserved a goal with that shot that the ‘keeper palmed over), Arron Lyall got a goal at the end and was bright/productive in driving with the ball - especially in the second half, Archie Stevens tried to make something happen before (I think) he picked up a bit of a knock late on - didn’t mind him nor Johnly Yfeko who went off too, whilst the goals scored by the two subs - Findlay Curtis and James Graham will do their confidence good given their respective ages. 

The one other player who I want to mention is Jack Harkness because what I picked up on is that he reads a game particularly well - evidenced by his understanding at times in the first half (really good) and then evidenced in an instance where he nipped in to nick the ball off an Alloa player’s feet and toe-ended the ball away to safety. Good work. What I didn’t realise until afterwards was that this was his first game back from injury (hence why he went off after an hour) but I liked what I saw and can appreciate his value just from seeing this 60 minutes, and who knows, I might even come back up here and watch him in particular in a game at some point in the future. Top work, keep it up, take confidence at being back and the more the game-time builds up, and rest assured that if I’m noticing that contribution, then other people will be seeing it too and it will win respect.