Todd Cantwell shares Rangers ‘intention’ to send message to Celtic at Ibrox
Todd Cantwell has confirmed that Rangers intend on sending a message to Celtic ahead of the first Old Firm derby of the season.
The Glasgow rivals meet for the first time this season on Sunday (3 September) when Brendan Rodgers brings his Celtic side to Ibrox and it has already been tipped as a crucial game as the Gers look to earn back the title.
Before the Old Firm clash, the Light Blues travel to PSV in the hope of reaching the Champions League group stage, but Cantwell has been open about the importance of the Old Firm matches and Rangers’ desire to send a message to their biggest rivals.
Speaking on the Tubes and Ange Golf Life YouTube channel, Cantwell said: “Unfortunately they got the better of us in the semi-final of the cup and the league at theirs. We needed to play well at home and one for the fans, but also send a message for next year. We managed to do that and win 3-0.
“That’s certainly the intention. We’ve got targets set by the manager, set by the players and we’ve got our own standards as well. They’re all aligned for a successful year. To play in those games, it’s got huge importance. Everyone at the club who’s been there for a while are making sure you’re aware of that.”
Cantwell gets it
It’s safe to say Cantwell understands the importance of the Old Firm to Rangers, despite having only been with the Ibrox clubs since January and that is part of the atmosphere Michael Beale is aiming to create in Glasgow.
His, and most fans, desire is for the Gers to overthrow Celtic in Scotland and present themselves as a genuine force on the European stage and while that won’t be easy, he is creating a group that genuinely views that as possible.
Cantwell’s discussion of the clear targets and standards that unite the group is such a crucial characteristic for a team to be successful in the long run and Beale seems to be generating this to a greater level with each passing game at Ibrox.
There is enough experience partnered with the nine new additions that this current Rangers team aren’t damaged by previous experiences against Celtic, rather they are driven to be a part of the side that restored the Light Blues’ dominance of both Glasgow and Scottish football.
But first, all attention will have to be focused on beating PSV and reaching the Champions League.
In other Rangers news, one pundit has admitted he was ‘disappointed’ by PSV’s performance against the Light Blues