Todd Cantwell has head turned by Rangers exit offers after clashes with Philippe Clement

Todd Cantwell and Philippe Clement have had an unhappy relationship and so the Rangers midfielder's request to leave the club does not come as a major surprise says Derek Ferguson.

The Gers manager revealed following the defeat at Birmingham City that the English man has twice asked to leave the club and will train with the B Team while a move away is found [Sky Sports, 25 July].

Cantwell, 26, is wanted back in England by multiple clubs, according to the Scottish Sun on 24 July, and Ferguson feels that the former Norwich attacker has had his head turned by exit offers.

He spoke exclusively to Ibrox News to say: "In a way I'm not surprised. I've always had an inkling that there was a wee bit of unhappiness between the two of them.

"But Clement comes out and says that they've had a good relationship with Todd. From the outside looking in I don't think it's come across that way.

"I don't think Todd Cantwell is Philippe Clement's type of player, that's clear to see. Cantwell needs that wee bit of freedom in the number 10 role to go and express himself. The way the manager sets up his team it's not going to play into Todd's hands.

"Maybe Cantwell's had a wee think about it, spoke to one or two people around him, we know he's had one or two offers and that's what's maybe turned his head."

Todd Cantwell left with Rangers B Team like Sam Lammers

Suggestions of clashes between Cantwell and Clement have followed them since the early weeks of the Belgian's time in Glasgow [Daily Record, 4 December].

The manager substituted the midfielder at half-time in the Viaplay Cup semi-final and then even before the break in the Europa League against Aris Limassol at the end of the month (30 November).

Cantwell has never hit the heights he managed under Michael Beale so it may be that an exit was inevitable this summer along with so many others.

Clement had previously left unwanted Dutch striker Sam Lammers with the B Team this summer as he had no plans for him going forward and a permanent move to FC Twente has now been sealed.

In other Rangers news, an exit-linked Gers striker was spotted at European tie with teammates.

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