Todd Cantwell claims struggles of new signings are down to Rangers atmosphere
Todd Cantwell has claimed the new arrivals at Rangers have struggled to adapt to the weight of expectation when playing at Ibrox, after a difficult start to the season.
The midfielder suggested that, particularly for the players previously playing abroad, there is no way of replicating what the atmosphere is like at Ibrox, and that may have caused issues upon their arrival.
He stated the size of the football club plays a part in the pressure on new arrivals, with the expectation from the fans to win every game hitting like a ton of bricks.
Cantwell was speaking to The Beautiful Game Podcast on 16 October, where he discussed how the team has adapted to the new signings: “It has [been challenging],” he said.
“It’s one of those things that nobody at the time would know was going to be challenging because you’re not just bringing them to a football club, you’re bringing them to a massive, massive football club which demands wins in every game they play.
“For the lads that played abroad in different leagues, I can’t imagine it replicating what it’s like to play at Ibrox. The fans, the feeling, you either thrive in it or you don’t.
“With any of these new lads, it’s far too soon to say that because there are language barriers, the manager now has lost his job, the one that brought them in, there’s so much uncertainty. It’s very difficult.
“It’s not like moving to England. For example, moving to Norwich is a lot softer on new players, because [at Rangers] there’s an expectation of winning every game, and it’s probably hit the new guys like a ton of bricks.”
New boys need to adapt soon
Of the nine new arrivals through the door at Ibrox in the summer, only two have really seemed to deal with the pressure. Jack Butland and Abdallah Sima have impressed, but the likes of Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers and Dujon Sterling are leaving a lot to be desired.
For the struggling players, they will need to adapt to the intense atmosphere and pressure sooner rather than later, with games coming thick and fast. It’s time for them to stand up and be counted.
While the dismissal of Michael Beale may cause issues for some of the players having been brought in by the former boss, they will need to view Philippe Clement’s appointment as a fresh start and a new opportunity to stamp their mark on Ibrox.
Feeling the weight of expectation is fine and normal, but they cannot afford for it to last too long before they are simply deemed not good enough to play for Rangers.
In other Rangers news, a BBC pundit has claimed one player would jump at the chance to leave Ibrox.