Todd Cantwell didn’t deserve to see his defenders throw away a two-goal lead against Hearts at Tynecastle and, after all of the Rangers playmaker’s efforts, he must be wondering what else he could have done.
Culpable for the first goal that was conceded, the 26-year old’s work rate and creativity more than made up for his loose pass that ended up with Lawrence Shankland opening the scoring.
Philippe Clement has been shown by Todd Cantwell that the midfield and attack has to be built around Rangers number 13 next season if the Scottish Premiership title is to return to Ibrox, even if the manager isn’t completely satisfied.
Todd Cantwell given Rangers mission by Philippe Clement
With two goals and an assist in his last two games since being dropped for Tom Lawrence in the deciding Old Firm fixture of the season, Cantwell has returned to the sort of form that saw the Light Blues reel in Celtic.
Arguably, when his hamstring tightened, Rangers grip on the championship race loosened and his return to form took too long to repair the damage.
There is one last chance to salvage a season that seemed over in October in next weekend’s Scottish Cup final, but Clement knows that there is still more to come from his mercurial midfielder:
“Todd has a lot of qualities and indeed he needs to work on things.
“He gets a lot of attention from opponents, from fans, but he is also taking steps in that way.
“For sure, I see a positive evolution in that way, but we still have a long way to go.”
Cantwell has Hampden date with destiny
The last couple of games have seen Cantwell take more than a bit of attention from opponents.
Referees seem intent on letting other teams target the Gers star man and take it in turns in bending the laws of the game – a previous injury due to a bad tackle was far from a surprise.
Only in Scotland can players get away with cynical fouls and escape yellow cards.
The problem, given that Rangers have scored eight goals in the last two games, isn’t up at the sharp end of the pitch.
Yes, the defence looked shaky in the closing stages, however, the pairing of Leon King and Dujon Sterling had never played together and barely played 200 minutes between them at centre-half.
Cantwell’s work rate can’t be questioned, but out of possession he needs to learn where he can cause most damage.
If Rangers win possession back, he is the player that Clement will want on the ball as quickly as possible.
Against Celtic at Hampden, regardless of what he needs to work on, getting Cantwell in areas where he can influence the game could be the difference between success and failure – regardless of how far he still has to go.
