BBC Sportscene pundit: Todd Cantwell taught ‘absolute lesson’ in Rangers defeat v Celtic
Neil McCann has criticised Rangers ace Todd Cantwell for his role in trying to stop the Celtic captain Callum McGregor when the two sides met on Saturday (30 December).
Speaking on BBC Sportscence on Saturday (21:24), the pundit said the Gers attacking midfielder was trying to get close to the 30-year-old midfielder all game in the Hoops’ 2-1 victory.
He added that the 25-year-old was taught an “absolute lesson” on what it takes to lead a team by the Scotland international as he dictated the pace of the match at Parkhead.
“Todd Cantwell was charged with stopping him (McGregor) playing today,” said McCann. “He got a look over his shoulder, feels Cantwell’s presence, just turns the Rangers defence, Kyogo ends up testing Jack Butland. But Cantwell was trying to get close to him all game.
“I’m sorry, this was an absolute lesson on what it is to lead a team. He just was not accepting it. He’s fully aware that Cantwell’s there to try and stop him, but the one thing McGregor did was dictate the pace of the game.”
Got to be better
It was always going to be a difficult task for Cantwell to try and keep McGregor quiet, but he did nowhere near enough throughout the afternoon.
The Celtic midfielder was allowed far too much time whenever he picked up the ball, with the Englishman making a couple of half-hearted attempts to track him.
That role demands your full attention at all times and the minimum requirement is that you give your absolute all, but it just simply wasn’t enough.
The attacking midfielder probably should have done more at the other end, too, as he had an excellent opportunity for the Gers in the first half when he hit a tame strike straight at Joe Hart.
The result feels like a massive blow to the Light Blues’ SPFL title aspirations, but Philippe Clement will now be looking to rally his troops again as they look to put together another unbeaten run.
In other Rangers news, Jamie O’Hara has shared his Old Firm regret live on air.