BBC Sportscene pundits delighted by brilliant Todd Cantwell as Rangers beat Ross County
Neil McCann and Richard Foster were both very impressed by Todd Cantwell as Rangers lumbered to a win over Ross County on Saturday.
The January signing from Norwich has started two of his three games since signing and provided the assist for Malik Tillman’s opener at Ibrox after combining well with Alfredo Morelos in a generally comfortable display from midfield.
Despite looking good since his addition to Michael Beale’s side McCann thinks he will be even better when he’s got used to football in Scotland.
Speaking live on BBC Sportscene on Saturday night (4 February, 8.16pm) McCann said: “I think this fella’s going to be really good once he gets up to speed and he understand’s the Scottish game. He’s very talented. He’s very loose and relaxed on the ball.”
On the goal Foster added: “There’s not a lot of space, it’s just brilliant play from Cantwell and great movement from Tillman.”
McCann added: “Brilliant stand up. It’s great. Morelos does great because he takes the ball in and it’s a cheeky little nutmeg, but it’s the willingness of Cantwell to break that line. It’s a crucial left foot touch but then you’ve got to find the finishing touch, that assist, and make sure you’re hitting the man.
“He sees Tillman coming in there. Make no mistake about it, that’s a direct pick out. That’s not just putting it into an area, and a beautiful header from Tillman.”
Duck to water
Cantwell has seamlessly slipped into the Rangers line up since his arrival, and if he looks this comfortable with his teammates after just a few training sessions and a couple of games then he should be excellent in a few weeks’ time.
He went so close to scoring his first early on against Ross County, but was involved in his first Gers goal when he lifted a lovely ball up for Tillman to score.
Despite a strong showing from the 24-year-old the Light Blues struggled to break down the stubborn visitors, and were almost left to rue that fact when Jon McLaughlin got nowhere near a cross in to let Jordan White level.
Tillman and Cantwell looked good, but Morelos wasn’t clinical on the day, Fashion Sakala struggled to get going and Ryan Kent flashed in and out.
As such, soon after the players had shined in blowing away Hearts in midweek (1 February), it was a laboured performance this weekend.
Nicolas Raskin looked decent in a short display at the end, so the hope has to be for him and fellow winter arrival Cantwell to continue to develop and lift the overall incisiveness of the midfield.
In other Rangers news, one Gers man was blasted on BBC Sportsound for his “extremely” loose mistake on a nightmare day for him.