Stephen McGinn tips Todd Cantwell for January sale as ‘high-profile’ Rangers exits mooted
Stephen McGinn has suggested the possibility of Todd Cantwell leaving Rangers in January, with a couple of “high-profile” casualties expected at Ibrox.
Philippe Clement has started incredibly well since arriving at Glasgow, remaining unbeaten both in the Scottish Premiership and the Europa League all while seeing his Rangers side advance to the Viaplay Cup final against Aberdeen in December.
But Cantwell has seen less involvement under the Belgian than he previously did under Michael Beale and that has left McGinn questioning whether or not the Englishman could be the first casualty of Clement’s era when the January window opens.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show (21 November, 31:50) “You start thinking does this new manager fancy Cantwell? He’s been in and out of the team, he’s come off at half-time.
“I think there will be one or two high-profile casualties in January at Rangers who could it be? Could Cantwell be one of them in January in terms of freeing up funds for the new manager?
“I think he’s going to want to add one or two. I think he’s done a great job, he’s had a great start at Rangers, but I don’t think he’ll be totally keen and settled on the makeup for the squad without wingers.
“Something is going to have to give in terms of players who want to play in that number 10 position.”
Could be a mistake
After a really impressive first six months in Glasgow, this season has been slightly more disappointing for Cantwell as he has struggled with both fitness and injury issues as well as the change of manager at Ibrox.
It was no secret that the Englishman was one of Beale’s favourite players at Ibrox, with almost all of his side’s play coming through the former Norwich City midfielder in the number 10 role. But under Clement, Cantwell has been forced out onto the right and seen far less of the ball.
However, he has not been bad in that role, popping up with a goal and a really impressive performance in the Gers’ Europa League win against Sparta Prague. It seems harsh to suggest that Clement doesn’t fancy the 25-year-old just because he has used him differently from Beale.
While there is every chance that there will be high-profile exits from Ibrox in January to fund incoming moves, it would be a surprise if Cantwell was one of those who makes way. He can be a difference maker at Rangers and even if the man in the dugout has changed, that doesn’t mean that the Englishman’s importance will have.
In other Rangers news, Nicolas Raskin’s former coach has tipped the Belgian to thrive at Ibrox in the future