Rangers hotshot Ross McCausland admits making his NI debut was a dream come true

Ross McCausland in action against Finland

Rangers youngster Ross McCausland admitted he was disappointed with the result in Helsinki, but even Northern Ireland losing 4-0 to Finland in the Euro 2024 qualifier could not take away the 20-year-old’s immense pride in making his senior international debut.

McCausland only made his first start for the Ibrox outfit at the weekend, shining in a 2-0 win away to Livingston having previously impressed domestically and in Europe as a substitute.

After being promoted from the Under-21 panel this week to Michael O’Neill’s squad he revealed he was surprised to be given the nod against the Finns.

The winger showed a determination to get on the ball and make things happen before the match fell apart for the visitors, with Finland scoring on the stroke of half time and adding three more goals after the break.

For McCausland and his parents Alan and Lorraine, regardless of the scoreline, it is a night and a week that they will never forget.

“It has been a dream from a very young age to make my senior Northern Ireland debut and to do that is a proud moment for me and my family,” he said.

“This week I was supposed to join up with the 21s and then David Currie (Head of International Administration) gave me a phone call after the Livingston game and said ‘Michael wants to bring you in’, and I was so chuffed because I didn’t think I could get to a higher point than what I had been for that whole week, coming on in the Europa League a short while ago and then getting my first start for Rangers so I was buzzing.

“When David phoned me the first thing I did was phone my mum. My mum was actually working the night shift so I phoned my dad and my mum found out later.

“My dad was over the moon. I think