Rangers boss Philippe Clement must haul off Todd Cantwell at half-time v Hearts, Chris Sutton comments justified
Rangers boss Philippe Clement would have every right to haul off Todd Cantwell for the second time in the space of a week after his first-half display against Hearts.
Cantwell was taken off just 36 minutes into the 1-1 draw with Aris Limassol on 30 November when having little impact out on the right-hand flank.
The 25-year-old was used in his preferred number 10 role against Hearts on Wednesday (6 December), but it was the same story as he did very little – a rightly disallowed goal aside.
In a sloppy opening 45 minutes in which both sides seemingly refused to keep hold of the ball, Cantwell failed to play any key passes [WhoScored], never mind score or assist.
For context, full-backs Ridvan Yilmaz and James Tavernier both played a key pass – the latter brilliantly assisting Abdallah Sima’s opener – as did Danilo and Ross McCausland.
As pointed out by Kenny Miller on commentary duty for Sky Sports [6 December, 20:33], Rangers’ attackers were all “very static” for the majority of the half – Cantwell being chief among them.
Unfortunately for Cantwell, his first-half display only justified comments made by Chris Sutton prior to the game on Sky Sports [6 December, 19:49].
“He’s an intelligent footballer but hasn’t been consistent enough over the years,” Sutton said. “Sometimes he can put his image of himself above the team and that’s something he needs to change.
“He’s a really clever footballer, but he needs his career to kick on and he needs to show consistency.
“If he does, Rangers are onto a winner with him. At the minute, you don’t know what you’re going to get from him.”
Cantwell is having far too little impact in far too many games, as the playmaker has just three goals involvements to his name in the league this term.
The former Norwich City ace was superb after joining in the second half of last season, and he showed what he is capable of with his two assists against St Mirren last time out.
As Sutton says, though, he needs to put his stamp on the game more often, with his first-half showing against Hearts another example of what can happen if he is not on it.
It is a long-term project for Clement, and the Belgian will no doubt persist with Cantwell, but it is down to the player to show he is capable of starting week in, week out in such a key position.
In other Rangers news, Clement has shared whether an important player will return to fitness in time for the Viaplay Cup final.