Ross McCausland has returned to Rangers for pre-season training after his loan spell at Aris Limassol came to an end, with the winger now set to be assessed by new head coach Derek McInnes.
The Northern Ireland international spent last season in Cyprus, making 25 appearances, scoring four goals and providing three assists during a campaign that delivered valuable senior experience but ultimately failed to convince Aris Limassol to pursue a permanent deal.
He signed a contract extension in 2023 until the summer of 2027 under the management of Phillipe Clement.
"I'm delighted to extend my stay. I've supported Rangers since I was a kid and it's a dream to play here,” he said at the time.
He now looks to hold onto that dream with one final opportunity to impress.
When McCausland departed Ibrox last summer, it was with the understanding that his first-team prospects under Danny Rohl were limited.
The German coach, who has since left Rangers to take over at RB Salzburg, did not see the 22-year-old as part of his long-term plans and the expectation had been that the club would look to secure a permanent transfer this summer.
Fresh start under McInnes
Rohl's departure has altered the landscape.
Rather than being moved on immediately, McCausland has been brought back into first-team training as McInnes begins assessing every member of the squad before making final decisions on who will remain at Ibrox.
The winger is one of several players previously on the fringes under Rohl now being given an opportunity to impress the new manager during the early stages of pre-season before a decision on their future is made.
This included a behind-closed-doors friendly with Raith Rovers scheduled for tomorrow.
Outcasts given another chance
McCausland is joined by a number of players whose futures had appeared uncertain only a few weeks ago.
Defender Clinton Nsiala and midfielder Lyall Cameron are also back with the first-team group as McInnes evaluates his inherited squad as several returning loanees are hoping to force their way into contention.
Oscar Cortes remains with Argentine side Atletico Huracan until the end of the calendar year.
The new head coach is expected to make his own judgement rather than rely solely on decisions taken under the previous regime, giving a number of players an unexpected chance to resurrect their Rangers careers.
Danilo still expected to depart
Not everyone is expected to receive a reprieve.
Despite returning to pre-season, striker Danilo remains widely expected to leave Rangers before the transfer window closes, with a move back to Brazil continuing to be viewed as the most likely outcome.
McInnes is overseeing a significant squad rebuild this summer, balancing new arrivals with a number of departures as he looks to reshape the group following his arrival at Ibrox.
However, the immediate objective for McCausland is straightforward. After a season away in Cyprus, he has been handed the opportunity to prove he still has a future at Rangers.
Whether that opportunity develops into a place in McInnes' plans or is still sold remains to be seen, but the new boss is clear that this is a fresh slate for all players involved in this early stage of training.
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