Ross McCausland believes Rangers’ 2-0 win over Malmo is perfect evidence that a new team under Philippe Clement is gelling - after a crucial goal from the bench sealed all three points.

The Northern Ireland international replaced Vaclav Cerny for the closing stages in Sweden, scoring a left-footed goal that doubled a lead established by Nedim Bajrami’s strike inside one minute.

McCausland, 21, was told to be direct and have a shot if such a chance materialised by Clement when climbing off the bench with 20 minutes remaining in tonight’s Europa League opener. It was his drive and determination that turned a nervy lead into a well-earned victory during the closing stages.

“[The message was] keep it tight, you know, I'm coming on, it's 1-0, and I wanted to just seal the game out,” he said.

Read more:

 

“And if I get a chance[the gaffer told me] to have a shot at goal and be direct and try and create something. It was the type of game you need to be sharp coming into. I'm delighted to be able to come on and add a goal to tonight.

“I always want a goal every time I play, but I think in terms of the game and the situation and the stage it's at during the game, this one helps us a lot and settles things down a wee bit. Maybe the game gets a wee bit frantic and the goal to put us two goals ahead seals the game for us.”

Rangers were worthy winners on the opening night of their latest Europa League campaign. Henryk Rydstrom’s Swedish champions were the favourites heading into the encounter but aside from one or two crosses, Jack Butland was rarely troubled. If any side looked like scoring more, it was the visitors.

“Yeah, look, everyone's buzzing, that's the result we wanted to get coming here tonight, to prove to everyone that we can come here and get results in Europe,” he continued.

“The clean sheet's probably the main thing we wanted, and obviously the two goals to seal the game and the one at the end as well. So, look, we're all chuffed and happy and we move on to the next game.”

The win is Rangers’ third on the spin, after a 1-0 victory at Tanndaice and 3-0 win in their first game back at Ibrox this season last weekend against Dundee. A trio of home fixtures now await with Hibs and St Johnstone travelling to Ibrox in the league and Lyon presenting their second European test of the campaign before the next international break.

“I think just looking at tonight,, that sort of tells everyone just from watching it that everyone's starting to gel together,” McCausland added.

“We're getting to that stage where everyone's comfortable around each other and we know what we're going to do. Between the starting 11 and the subs coming in and the players that even aren't here today, we've a good squad.”