Luton's interest in Rangers' Northern Ireland international is dismissed

Luton Town’s reported interest in a move for Rangers winger and Northern Ireland international Ross McCausland has been dismissed.

The 23-year-old, who was born in Antrim, joined the academy at Ibrox from Linfield in the summer of 2019 for a fee of around £60,000. Having been selected for his new club's B-team in the 2021-22 campaign, playing in the UEFA Youth League as well as the Challenge Cup and Lowland League, where he made 31 appearances, with eight goals and four assists, the attacker was awarded with his Scottish Premier League debut in May 2023, coming on in the final stages of the 3-1 victory over Hibernian.

Once manager Michael Beale departed, then McCausland began to get more of a run in the side the following season under interim boss Steven Davis, along with new head coach Philippe Clement, as he scored his first goal in September 2023 when Rangers beat Alloa 4-1 in the Challenge Cup. He had his first Europa League outing that term too, the 2-1 win over Sparta Prague, and having impressed in the league, earned a call-up to the Northern Ireland senior squad for their 4-0 loss against Finland in a 2024 qualifier.

Enjoying his best season north of the border, McCausland had a first Europa League goal, that in the 1-1 draw against Aris Limassol at Ibrox, with his maiden league strike soon following, in the 3-1 home triumph over Kilmarnock in January 2024. McCausland netted twice more that campaign, as he finished with four strikes from 28 outings for Rangers, also winning the Scottish League Cup and earning two more caps for his country, plus being nominated for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award, losing out to David Watson of Kilmarnock.

During the 2024-25 season, McCausland played 25 times for Rangers, including in the Champions League qualifiers, featuring in both legs of the 3-1 defeat to Dynamo Kyiv, netting three goals. Last term, with first team chances dwindling, he was sent out on loan, joining Cyprus League side Aris Limassol where he played 22 times as his team finished in sixth place, scoring four goals and gaining four assists.

He also featured twice in the Kypello Kyprou and two Europa Conference League qualifiers, but although the deal contained an option to buy, no permanent move to Cyprus materialised, meaning he is now back at Ibrox with around 12 months left on his contract, after penning a new four year deal in November 2023.

With his future expected to be over at Ibrox, McCausland, who has won five caps in total for Northern Ireland after playing for the U16s up to U21s, did travel out with new manager Derek McInnes for the Gers’ pre-season training camp in Spain but has only featured in behind-closed-door friendlies.

The attacker, with seven goals from 66 appearances for his parent club, is rumoured to be heading down south, with Luton a possible destination, as Joshuah Barrie from Rangers Review wrote on his X page: “Luton Town are interested in signing #Rangers winger Ross McCausland. The 23-year-old - who is in the final year of his deal - is expected to leave on a permanent deal this summer.”

However, it appears that interest has now swiftly been rebuffed as a report by the Daily Record stated: “Rangers winger Ross McCausland is keen on a move back overseas. The Northern Irish international had a spell at Cypriot club Aris last season. The 23-year-old has initial interest from a number of clubs in Europe and Major League Soccer.

"He is waiting to see what options firm-up and who are prepared to meet Rangers’ asking price. A number of English One sides have already enquired but that is not an option that McCausland is looking into. Luton Town have asked the question to Rangers, but have indicated they can’t pay a fee or get anywhere the player’s current wage.

"So that looks a non-runners, while bigger clubs in the same League have already reached out. McCausland has also trained well since he returned for pre-season under Derek McInnes. He has one-year left on his Ibrox contract.”