Kris Boyd is wrong, Todd Cantwell is too good to be a bit-part player for Rangers under Philippe Clement
Rangers have seen their fortunes and season do a complete 180 since the last international break, when Philippe Clement replaced Michael Beale.
The Belgian has overseen seven games as manager at Ibrox with six wins and one draw, with just three goals conceded and 18 goals scored in that time.
He hasn’t settled on a sure-fire starting lineup either, with star-man Todd Cantwell finding himself in and out of the team in recent weeks too despite his importance to the team since he arrived in January.
The former Norwich attacker was substituted at half-time of the League Cup semi-final, before starting and scoring in the Europa League clash with Sparta Prague and then being left out of the team for the 2-0 win over Livingston just before the international break.
But while appearing as a pundit on Sky Sports (12 November), former Gers striker Kris Boyd claimed that Cantwell may have to get used to being a “bit part player” under Clement after everyone was given a clean slate under the new boss.
Scott Wright has impressed when given an opportunity on the right wing while youngster Ross McCausland has also made a big impression at Ibrox since the new manager came in.
However, none of that should mean Cantwell’s place in the side is up for grabs – he’s still comfortably our best attacker.
If anything it should mean that he is moved into his preferred spot as a number ten behind Danilo, and Rangers will be even stronger going forward in the second half of the season.
Rangers have finally got some depth in the squad that means when our best players aren’t at 100% they don’t need to be risked and that’s all this is. Saying that one of our best may become bit-part is just straight up wrong.
If we start benching or isolating our best players and performers then the club simply won’t be moving forwards. Cantwell has done nothing wrong to justify losing his place in the long run, and this is just Boyd overreacting and trying to get clicks for Sky Sports.
Cantwell will be a starter after the international break and for a while yet, because he is performing well and we’re better with him in the team. Simple.
In other Rangers news, Clement rages at Gers duo after what they did v Sparta Prague according to official club partner.