The decision by Philippe Clement to take off Todd Cantwell with Rangers 1-0 down against Aris Limassol wasn’t a popular one, but it was one that could be understood.
The Gers boss explained post match why the 25-year old and not the equally inept Sam Lammers was removed, however, the damage with the Ibrox faithful had already been done by this point.
What Philippe Clement did do is show that he wants his team to carry out his instructions and, if they don’t, then it doesn’t matter who you are and what time it is, no player is bigger than the Rangers manager.
Philippe Clement given Rangers backing by former player
This is a sentiment shared by former Rangers right back Maurice Ross who, writing on X, is backed the call made by the big Belgian:
“That’s a gaffer’s call!! No messing about!
“Tackling a ball going out of play isn’t what a Rangers “forward” is about! Where are the nice touches? Slid through passes? Eliminate a man?
“That decision, for me, tells any player this is the new regime! How it should be!”
Cantwell will have been fuming at Philippe Clement but Ross is right, Several Rangers players weren’t performing but he was the one who wasn’t doing what the manager was instructing him to do.
How Clement dealt with the scrutiny post match also gave an insight into the man, there was no anger or criticism of Cantwell – he even praised him for playing out of position and taking one for the team.
If it’s any consolation to the Gers number 13, he is in good company as a Rangers player being taken off early, Ross explaining when Craig Moore was axed after a wayward pass by none other than Dick Advocaat.
“For context, Dick Advocaat subbed Craig Moore after 20mins for playing a ball into West enclosure!
“Craig took it on the chin then went on to captain the club!! Proper way to handle adversity!”
The big question will be how Philippe Clement deals with the situation moving forwards and what the line up will be for Rangers at the weekend.
Todd Cantwell has played his best football at number ten for Rangers but we seem intent on playing two or three of them all at the same time and forcing at least one of them out of position.
But after this incident, will Clement want to show who’s boss or does he have the pragmatism to accept that playing Cantwell wide instead of through the middle was a mistake?
We’ll find out on Sunday.
