One Rangers player shows pair of pouting posers what matters and Clement better hope they catch on – Ibrox analysis

Philippe Clement is in need of at least 11 players with the effort and energy levels of Ross McCausland for Rangers' Hampden showdown with Celtic this coming Saturday.

The Northern Irish kid's attitude is something to behold - and a team with his mindset might just have a chance of halting Brendan Rodgers' Celtic from adding the Scottish Cup to this season's Premiership crown. Gers fans would certainly feel more positive ahead of the trip to the national stadium if more of their squad displayed snippets of the 21-year-old's approach.

As it is, it will be a surprise if the Belgian doesn't hand the former academy ace a start in this weekend's showpiece. McCausland admitted on Friday his side's trip to Tynecastle was the last chance to stake a cup final claim and he certainly set out to impress. It was his goal that got the visitors going in Gorgie after yet another tepid opening 45 that saw Gers surrender the first goal for the fourth game running.

But, more than that, it was an afternoon when McCausland displayed an enthusiasm that's been lacking in this team lately. Maybe the Ibrox boss can hope some of the youngster's verve rubs off the rest of his side but he shouldn't hold his breath - not when they returned to the bad habits that earned them a half-time talking to only last Wednesday against Dundee.

Clement raged about his side's lack of intensity off the ball after falling two goals behind to Tony Docherty's Dee before battling back for a 5-2 victory. And he'd have had every right to blast his players again in Saturday's final league game after slumping into half-time losing to Lawrence Shankland's 31st Hearts strike of the season.

That goal summed up their performance before the break. Todd Cantwell's pass was casual, unlike the pouncing Yutaro Oda's piercing ball that set Shankland clear to dink past Gers keeper Jack Butland. It was a demonstration in finishing from the Scotland ace that once again highlighted the glaring failings in Cyriel Dessers' game at the other end. The Nigerian had already passed up a couple of chances to put Gers in front. He has 22 goals for the season but could have doubled that with the opportunities he's blown.

Rangers really should have been out of sight at Tynecastle - just as they should have finished off Celtic when they had the chance to go five points clear at the top of the Premiership table at Ibrox last month. But the story of the Light Blues' league season was mirrored in Gorgie as a brief resurgence ultimately gave way.

McCausland capped his man-of-the-match performance with a peach of a goal on 52 minutes. The winger controlled a deflected Mohamed Diomande pass to lob the ball over the head of one opponent. His next touch took him past Cammy Devlin before his third swept a left-foot finish in off a post. He knew a draw wasn't good enough so kept the celebrations to a minimum. It was sleeves rolled up and go again.

Compare this to the way Todd Cantwell and Fabio Silva celebrated as they put Gers 3-1 up. The former's strike on 69 minutes was every bit as good as McCausland's as he fired past Zander Clark, kissing the ball in off an upright. But he couldn't resist a dig at the home support. It was more of the needless gesturing the playmaker indulged in during a first half where he'd appeared more interested in appealing for fouls instead of driving Gers on.

Cantwell showed against Dundee last week that, when in the mood, he is a game-changer. The trouble is getting him to maintain that state of mind. Silva too, who fired home 10 minutes later after Dexter Lembikisa failed to clear his lines, chose to get involved with the home fans as he pointed out the name on his shirt.

But then Gers collapsed at the death, allowing Lembikisa and Kyosuke Tagawa to lace home a couple to end Hearts' run of five straight defeats to the Ibrox side. That didn't stop the Gers pair taking to Instagram after. They are not the only ones but the pouting, preening and posting of pictures - none of that impresses fans when you've fallen out of the frame for the league title.

Clement must hope his players catch on to what matters or it will be Celtic posing with the trophy again this weekend.