Todd Cantwell may have two games to save Ibrox career after what happened in Rangers loss v Celtic
Journalist Chris Jack has suggested Rangers midfielder Todd Cantwell has two Old Firm games to save his Ibrox career.
Cantwell was one of a number of Rangers players that failed to perform in Saturday’s (30 December) 2-1 loss at Parkhead.
Jack believes the Gers’ latest loss to Celtic can be put down to the lack of impact from Cantwell and Cyriel Dessers.
Speaking on The Rangers Review podcast [30 December], Jack said: “We’ve known for some time that Dessers is not cut out to be a big game matchwinner.
“If you look at Todd Cantwell, he played in his preferred position and has been given chances to go out and win games, but for me he’s another one that has not lived up to expectation.
“You only get so many of those before people start asking questions about not only your place in the side but your place at the football club. I think Cantwell is now very much on that precipice.
“I don’t think it will be a case of the manager getting rid of him in January, but he’s probably got two Old Firm games now to save his Rangers career.
“If he doesn’t turn up in those, isn’t a prominent figure who pulls the strings and creates chances, you then ask if he’s worth a place in this Rangers squad.
“He’s talented, but talent only gets you so far. You have to have a real influence in these games – it really matters.
“Rangers’ big players, those we have expectations on, who have big fees, they don’t stand up and deliver – Celtic’s do. Celtic have [Callum] McGregor, we have Cantwell; they have Kyogo [Furuhashi], we have Dessers. These are the difference.”
Poor record
Cantwell does indeed tend to struggle to make an impact in the game that matters more than any other to Rangers fans.
In six meetings with Celtic, the former Norwich City player has scored once and assisted none [Transfermarkt].
This latest encounter was a particular struggle for Cantwell as he failed to play a single key pass and was hauled off after 68 minutes.
For context, five Rangers players created what WhoScored define as a key pass, including goalkeeper Jack Butland.
As Jack points out, McGregor and Kyogo so often make the difference for Celtic in the Old Firm showdowns, whereas Rangers’ big names do the opposite.
This defeat is no easier to take than any other, but Gers fans have to remain positive – the title race is far from over.
As for Cantwell and Dessers, they should be circling the weekend of 6 April in their diaries as that is when the next Old Firm is scheduled for.
In other Rangers news, the Gers have every right to be fuming after what an ex-SFA official has said.