Rangers manager Philippe Clement claims Todd Cantwell is not a special case and will be expected to play where the Ibrox side need him.
That’s even if the Belgian manager also conceded that if the Englishman can prove his worth in the coveted number 10 role, then he will keep his place.
Philippe Clement was speaking after a week of drama surrounding Todd Cantwell, where the ex-Norwich City star was hauled off in the first-half of the club’s 1-1 Europa League draw with Aris.
Starting on the right-hand side, Cantwell’s lack of on-pitch tactical discipline was matched with frustration displayed towards Clement as he left the Ibrox pitch.
The Rangers manager would then start the Michael Beale signing in his preferred position against St Mirren and Todd Cantwell took his chance by assisting both goals in a 2-0 victory.
Philippe Clement getting to know Todd Cantwell better
Ahead of the clash with Hearts, there has been plenty of chatter about the situation and Philippe Clement actually namedropped Todd Cantwell before fielding questions on the player.
The Rangers boss claimed that the fall-out surrounding the incident allowed him to get to know the talented if not enigmatic playmaker a little better.
This was after he was asked if how his squad dealt with the trip to Tynecastle would help Clement get to know his team a little better.
“I hope to learn as little as possible, it was the same before Dundee my first away game in the league,” said Clement. “It’s interesting.
“I’m not going to learn anything about Hearts away I know what it is. I’ve seen the game, I’ve seen the videos. I’m not learning anything about that but I’m learning to get to know my players better and better.
“That’s really important. In that way Todd was a really good example this week, we had really good talks and I get to know the player better, like others.
“That’s going to be a very important thing when we go on training camp in January where I always take time to do individual talks with players.
“It’s going to be hard work in training and evenings, with the staff together with the players individually. To really get to know them.
“We are six weeks here, a lot has happened already, getting people in like a Director of Performance and Recruitment, it was also aside from all the things that happened during games. But I get to know the club and the players better and better.”
Rangers star is not a special case
Later in the press conference some journalists wanted to know if Todd Cantwell would now be the club’s number 10 and Philippe Clement sent a clear message to the squad.
Whilst the Rangers boss encouraged Cantwell to express himself and be successful in the role, it’s clear Clement expects the player to deliver when called upon on the right wing.
Philippe Clement also stated that Todd Cantwell is not a special case, pointing to Tom Lawrence playing a deep-lying role against St Mirren.
“I don’t think that is the right thing to say, if he performs like he did at the weekend he will play more regularly, it all has to do with performances,” said Clement.
“It can be also he has to play moments on the right side because the team needs that if we have injuries and not enough players there, that’s part of football. It’s not something special for Todd.
“Tom Lawrence played a different position to usual at the weekend, he did the job for the team. If everyone does that then we’re stronger. Todd is ready for that, we had really good talks about it.”
Todd Cantwell has made 18 appearances for Rangers this season, scoring once and laying on four assists.
You’ve also got to give kudos to the Rangers manager for how he’s handled the situation, with definite shades of one legendary Ibrox boss.
