Ross McCausland was in the right place at the right time. He is now the right man for the right side. Philippe Clement has a puzzle to solve once again and McCausland could be an important part of the jigsaw.

It has been a season of progression, positives and plaudits for McCausland. His first start was followed by his first goal, his debut for his country was followed by a new contract with his boyhood heroes. As he admits himself, he would have struggled to believe this rise and rise was possible when he watched on from the sidelines and the B Team during the first weeks of the campaign.

There have been many moments on McCausland’s upward trajectory that rank as significant. On Monday, each were recognised as he was named on the shortlist for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award. Lyall Cameron of Dundee and two of the most prodigious talents in the country - Kilmarnock’s David Watson and Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller – are also in contention for the prize. It would be one that McCausland would cherish if he was to win it, but he has his sights set on mementos of a different kind over the next month.

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The 20-year-old returned home across the water last summer knowing that this term could be a make-or-break one for him at Ibrox. He spent time working on the pitches at Allen Park – the same venue where he had first shown an aptitude and passion for the game as a small boy – to prepare himself physically and mentally for one last shot at glory. Those efforts have paid off, and in some style.

McCausland made his 33rd appearance of the season for Rangers against St Mirren on Sunday. With 55 minutes on the clock, Clement decided that the forward was a better option than Fabio Silva as Rangers chased a goal to keep them in the title race. The decision says much about the form and fortunes of the Portuguese at present, but is also a credit to McCausland. When the going gets tough, Clement can put his faith in him to stand up and deliver.

The winger has emerged through a spell where he was no longer almost an automatic choice in Clement’s forward line. His manager has used him smartly and considerately over the campaign and the strengthening of the squad has increased the competition for McCausland, who himself as succumbed to the Ibrox injury curse.

The situation that helped him make his breakthrough in October could now repeat itself. On form, Silva doesn’t merit a start when Kilmarnock visit this weekend and Dujon Sterling is the square peg that may have to fill a round hole elsewhere in the team once again. Rabbi Matondo missed the trip to Paisley after sustaining a knock against Hearts, while Abdallah Sima faces a fight to feature again this season due to a muscle injury. With Oscar Cortes out for the campaign and Scott Wright an unconvincing alternative, McCausland could once again emerge as a mainstay on the flanks during a run of five fixtures that have the potential to define Ibrox careers.

“Obviously it is an honour to up for nomination for this award,” McCausland said as he joined James Tavernier and Jack Butland in a three-strong Rangers contingent at the Hilton for a press conference to promote the PFA awards. “I have had a very hectic season, you could say. It has been non-stop. It is an honour to be put forward.

“I think I have dealt well with it. I have been chucked into some massive games this year. Like I have said before, it has all come at me so fast that I haven’t really had a chance to think about it, which sometimes I think can be better because you are going out and you are playing. Ultimately you are fearless and you are not thinking about anything.

“Obviously it is not something you want to see as a player and your teammates getting injured. There comes a point where you are going to need to step up and there is probably going to be a chance for me to step up into these big games and play a part.”

McCausland has already done that on several occasions this term. Clement utilised the Academy graduate from the bench during his first four matches in charge before pitching him in from the start for the outing at Livingston. It was one that McCausland thought he had marked with a goal, only for it to be chopped off for a foul in the build-up.

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That moment of elation – one that he had dared to dream of growing up as a Rangers-daft kid in Antrim – arrived against Aris Limassol a few weeks later. In January, McCausland set Clement’s side on their way to victory over Kilmarnock as Rangers continued to build momentum in their title push.

The visit of the same opposition on Sunday is the latest must-win for Rangers. That challenge does not daunt McCausland, though. Not only does he have full confidence in his own ability, he has the full backing of the boss.

“I think when he first came in after Davo took the interim job, he had watched back a few of the games I had played in,” McCausland said. “When I came back from international duty he said ‘keep doing what you are doing, just be direct in your play and be fearless.’ That was something I wanted to do and I continued to do it and he liked it. He put his faith in me and played me in a lot of big games.

“When you are young, you go through a stage in the game where it is all upwards. Then you get to a point where you are not judged as a young player anymore. When you are a young player and you are playing, all you can be is fearless and bring loads of energy to the game.”

The trajectory that McCausland was on was always going to plateau at some point of the season. His contribution, which also includes three assists, has been important to Rangers over the course of the campaign and his most defining impacts could still be to come. As Clement contends with form and fitness issues, McCausland is ready and raring to go.

READ MORE: A conversation with Steven Davis: Rangers' character and why he left Clement's staff

He pinpoints the League Cup win over Aberdeen that earned him his first medal as the highlight of his season so far. With the title on the line and the Scottish Cup final to come, McCausland could be set to end an incredible term in the most remarkable of circumstances.

“That wasn’t long since I took my spell playing the majority of the games and to start the cup final, it was my first time playing at Hampden,” McCausland said. “That was a big moment for me and my family and in my career so far. Going to a lot of cup finals in previous years at Hampden and watching in the stand. It is an amazing venue to play at and to be able to collect my first bit of silverware at Hampden was amazing.

“I think that is something that not just as a young player but as a footballer in general you need to have belief in yourself. I think most people do believe in themselves. I have taken all my belief into these last few games and hopefully I play a part and make a big impact in the games.”