Ex-SFA official tears into ‘disgraceful’ Todd Cantwell, calls for Rangers ban
Former SPFL referee Steve Conroy has torn Todd Cantwell to shreds after the Rangers midfielder was involved in a second-half incident during the 4-2 win over Motherwell.
Goals from James Tavernier, Fashion Sakala, Malik Tillman and the former Norwich man were enough for Michael Beale’s side to secure all three points on Saturday (18 March).
However, Cantwell was involved in Callum Slattery’s second-half dismissal, a moment which infuriated Conroy.
“He cheated. It’s debatable whether you think the Motherwell defender was guilty of an offence in that one,” said the former official (Get Involved Referees Podcast, quoted by the Daily Record, 21 March).
“It wasn’t violent and it wasn’t a red card. It wasn’t excessive force, maybe? But he put his hand on him, and to me, it looked like he placed it very gently on him. In the Chris Sutton days, what did he used to say? That he was just marking his territory.
“That seemed to be the extent of it for me, but in this day and age if you raise your hands you’re taking the chance. I don’t have an issue with that one way or the other.
“It was disgusting and it was disgraceful. He is conning and cheating every single one of us, and he should get the same ban as everyone else.”
Part of the game
Unfortunately for Conroy, this is part of the modern game. Cantwell has been given the opportunity to get an opposing player sent off and he’s taken it with both hands. There’s so much riding on every single point, the chance to get a rival off the field of play cannot be passed up.
It was by no means a decisive moment in the fixture at Fir Park. The Gers were in the lead and cruising towards a comfortable three points. Beale will be delighted with his side’s response to falling behind. They once again overturned a lead and showed they can go through the gears when required.
Cantwell’s performance in particular was a big plus point. The attacking midfielder got on the scoresheet and was a constant thorn in Motherwell’s side. It’s been an impressive start to life north of the border and there’s plenty still to come from the former Norwich man.
A big performance in the Gers’ next Old Firm clash would certainly be welcomed.
In other Rangers news, the club are in line for a multi-million windfall from the Premier League after a £10m Auchenhowie milestone was reached.