Cyriel Dessers might have stolen the headlines against Hearts, but Rangers playmaker Todd Cantwell was the man pulling the strings.
The 26-year-old is enigma personified and with technical ability screaming out of the ex-Norwich City star, it’s his mental focus which has always interrupted an initially bright career.
There is still plenty of time for Todd Cantwell to reach the heights that saw him linked with some of football’s biggest clubs but for that dream to become a reality, he needs to find consistency at Rangers.
In the 2-0 win over Hearts, we saw the very best of the silky, creative, somewhat arrogant midfielder and Hearts legend Jon Robertson was quoted fawning over him throughout the match.
Hearts legend lauds ‘quality’ Todd Cantwell
Jambos icon Jon Robertson is one of the Tynecastle club’s greatest ever players – if not their greatest – and he was on BBC Scotland duties for the Scottish Cup semi-final.
Hearts’ greatest ever goalscorer is Gorgie through-and-through and after Cyriel Dessers’ Hampden heroics you might’ve expected the former poacher to side with the striker’s union.
But instead Rangers star Todd Cantwell was the focus of the Hearts hero’s attentions as he waxed lyrical about the midfielder’s match-winning contribution.
At half-time, the Hearts hero told BBC Sportsound: “You take the first 10 minutes out the equation, it’s been an even game.
“Hearts haven’t got to grips with Todd Cantwell, that’s the big problem. Steven Naismith has to sort out that conundrum.”
After Cantwell set up Cyriel Dessers for his second goal, Robertson told BBC Sportsound: “We’ve said all game if Cantwell can find the quality in the final third, it’ll be dangerous for Hearts. He produced it there.
“At last, Rangers have made Cantwell’s space count. He’s been the man today.”
Speaking after the match, Robertson lauded Todd Cantwell’s contribution against Hearts again.
Telling BBC Sportsound: “I don’t think you can argue the best team won. Rangers created more clear-cut chances.
“They got the early goal they wanted to give them that lift, and pretty much controlled the first half. Hearts didn’t really work Jack Butland and never created that opportunity.
“Second half they changed it. They carried a greater threat with Kenneth Vargas through the middle.
“But Todd Cantwell kept getting in that pocket of space and he changed the game.”
Enigmatic Rangers star must follow up Hampden heroics
Rangers fans know all too well the talents of Todd Cantwell.
The problem is, we just haven’t seen them on a consistent enough basis.
The creative playmaker has everything to become a leading player for Rangers and he’s arguably the most talented player not just at Ibrox, but in Scotland.
Todd has that perfect blend of talent and bite with his character making him a popular figure amongst fans – and an easy enemy amongst rivals.
But there are too many lulls in the playmaker’s performances and we are challenging Todd Cantwell to become a routine matchwinner for Rangers in the big moments.
The Englishman has done it here against Hearts, but can he haul Rangers back in front in the title tussle with Celtic?
