Anthony Onifade

Sat 11 November 2023 10:10, UK

Barry Ferguson believes Philippe Clement may be the “perfect manager” for Rangers midfielder Todd Cantwell after what the Belgian did against Sparta Prague on Thursday.

Cantwell and Danilo got a goal in each half as the Light Blues strengthened their position for a Europa League knockout qualification on Thursday (9 November) with a 2-1 win but Clement wasn’t too pleased with his forwards dancing in celebration after the second goal.

Ferguson, writing in his column for Daily Record (11 November) shares that he is intrigued by the relationship between the pair but praised the Rangers “game-changer” for bouncing back against the Czech outfit after his brutal half-time sub against Hearts last weekend.

However, the ex-Ibrox hero argues Clement made the right call against Hearts, despite it being a surprise, which shows Cantwell who is boss at Ibrox.

He wrote: “From the outside, it is beginning to look like there could be a potential personality clash between Philippe Clement and Todd Cantwell. And, to tell you the truth, there’s something about it that makes me chuckle to myself.

“I do get the feeling he might be quite cleverly showing Cantwell who the boss is right now. And everyone else inside that dressing room for that matter.

“I also believe Clement sees exactly the player that Cantwell can be. I’ve written it many times myself in this column, this lad is a game-changer when he’s fully focused on the football side of things.

“Sometimes he might have a bit too much to say for himself and he certainly seems to enjoy the limelight which comes with wearing a Rangers shirt. But Cantwell is a player alright which is why I’m fascinated by the dynamics of his relationship with the new man.

“Put it this way, Cantwell must have been shocked at the weekend when he was subbed off at halftime in the Viaplay Cup semi-final against Hearts. Absolutely no one saw that one coming. And I get the feeling that Clement was sending out a bit of a message with that decision.

“Cantwell reacted with a big performance and a superbly taken goal against Sparta Prague on Thursday night. And that’s exactly what the manager would have been hoping for because when Cantwell puts all his energy and focus onto the football pitch, then Rangers have got a right good player on their hands.

“Clement might just be the perfect manager for him at the perfect time in his Rangers career because this is a guy who will accept nothing less than 100 per cent from everyone inside his dressing room.”

Raising standards

At Rangers, winning games is expected but it’s not just about the win. It’s about winning in a certain fashion and Clement clearly understands that.

Danilo and Cantwell were well within their right to dance for the second goal as all players should do when scoring but they always say, you’re at your most complacent when you’ve just scored.

The Belgian was also well within his rights to get his attacking stars to rein it in and get their head back in the game which is certainly showing the impact Clement is already having in the Ibrox dressing room.

The former Monaco manager certainly won’t be taking any prisoners, no matter how talented or gifted the player is. If they’re not performing at 100% then they are in danger of an inevitable axe and that’s what happened to Cantwell last weekend.

Credit to the Norwich City man for reclaiming his spot back for the Europa League clash on Thursday and putting in a huge performance to prove to Clement that he is worthy of his starring role under his stewardship.

However, that does not mean Cantwell should rest on his laurels and after seeing how Clement reacted to his celebrations with Danilo, the Englishman now knows what it takes to perform under such a manager who takes no nonsense.

It could do his career at Rangers and his teammates for that matter the world of good.

In other Rangers news, Premier League outcast wanted at Ibrox in January transfer window.