Portuguese club 'make enquiry' for former Linfield youngster and Northern Ireland winger

McCausland, who is currently on the books of Scottish giants Rangers, spent last season on loan in Cyprus at Aris Limassol, scoring four goals in 22 league appearances.

The 23-year-old came through the youth ranks at Linfield before earning a move to Ibrox and has played 44 times in the Scottish Premiership.

McCausland has one year remaining on his Rangers contract and returned for pre-season, getting an opportunity to impress new manager Derek McInnes.

However, having been linked with interest from Swiss champions FC Thun last month amongst “a number of options in Europe and Major League Soccer”, Sky Sports have reported that Portuguese top flight club Casa Pia are now ready to make their move.

Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph posted: “Casa Pia have made an enquiry for Rangers winger Ross McCausland. The Portuguese club are exploring the conditions of a permanent deal for the Northern Ireland international.”

Based in Lisbon, Casa Pia preserved their Primeira Liga status by winning a relegation play-off last term, beating Torreense 2-0 on aggregate.

They recorded two consecutive ninth-placed finishes in 2023/24 and 2024/25 after gaining promotion in 2022 and have identified McCausland as a target ahead of their season opener against Maritimo on August 8.

A positive summer move for McCausland could help him force his way back into Michael O’Neill’s senior Northern Ireland squad.

McCausland has earned five international caps to date with the most recent coming as a substitute in a Nations League defeat to Bulgaria in September 2024.

He was called up during Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign last year, sitting on the bench for a victory over Luxembourg.

Antrim native McCausland previously spoke about fulfilling his dream of playing for Rangers and the role countryman Steven Davis, who served as interim ‘Gers manager, has played in his career.

“I grew up a Rangers fan so I know what it means to play for this club and I know what this club means to the fans so I give my all in every game,” he told the club’s website after the 2023/24 campaign. “Playing for Rangers is a dream come true for me.

“Steven Davis has had a huge influence on my career and everybody knows how successful he was here. What a player.

“What he has done with Rangers was amazing and I don’t think anyone will ever forget that. I just wish him all the best with his retirement.

“He is still involved with Northern Ireland and I saw him when I was away during the summer. He has so much experience and I can pick up the phone and speak to him for advice.

“Not everybody gets the chance to talk to someone like that. He has done everything in the game and when he was interim manager he gave me so much good information and my chance to play.

“I will always be grateful to him for that and being able to soak up experience from a guy like that is amazing."