Rangers: Philippe Clement ‘deeply disappointed’ with Todd Cantwell vs Benfica – BBC Sport pundit
Philippe Clement will have been “deeply disappointed” with his Rangers substitutes in the defeat by Benfica, with Todd Cantwell particularly poor, according to Stuart McCall.
The former Ibrox midfielder reacted live on BBC Sportsound on 14 March after the Belgian made changes in the second half of the 1-0 loss which saw the Gers knocked out of Europe, focusing on the English midfielder repeatedly losing the ball.
Rabbi Matondo and Kemar Roofe also came off the bench as the home side chased an equaliser but were ineffective, with Clement said to be very unhappy with what he saw.
McCall said (7.29pm): “I think the manager will be deeply disappointed in the three substitutes he’s brought on for an impact.
“Cantwell’s given it away nearly every time he’s got it. Roofe’s not had a kick and Matondo’s had one kick and he put it in the stands.
“When you bring your substitutes on you want them to have a positive impact. At the moment they haven’t.”
Rabbi Matondo and Kemar Roofe also ineffective off Rangers bench at Ibrox
It may well have been a product of all three the attacking introductions coming off injuries and being below 100% fitness but they couldn’t turn the tide at Ibrox.
Rangers had been on top for the majority of the game but were unable to fashion many obvious chances on the night.
Scott Wright was excellent and Tom Lawrence was relatively threatening early, so the fact that both went off in the 73rd minute perhaps undercut hopes of a fightback.
At full strength Cantwell would certainly have been expected to be a key man, and was highlighted as much by a Hibs opponent before the game, but in his first action since multiple games out injured he was well short of his best.
With a squad that has been so badly hit by injuries it may count as impressive that the Light Blues pushed Benfica so close and only lost by the odd goal, but having got back to Ibrox level it is still highly disappointing to go out.
And the fact that it came thanks to Rafa Silva’s strike on the counterattack from a Rangers corner is all the more frustrating, as there were plenty of warnings that pushing everyone forward for set pieces was a risky manoeuvre.
In other Rangers news, Michael Stewart claims the club face an expensive transfer issue amid talks with a “vital” ace.
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