Rangers midfielder Todd Cantwell provided a rare flicker of hope in a season of despair as Celtic fans continue to meltdown over a nothing incident at Hampden.
A January signing under Michael Beale, Todd Cantwell’s clear ability and commitment to the Ibrox cause is a good sign that the club is moving in the right direction under the ex-QPR boss.
But with a few stray passes and lack of an end product interrupting what was, probably, Rangers’ best performance in the 1-0 Scottish Cup defeat at Hampden, there is still much to learn for the 26-year-old.
Up in Glasgow to kickstart a stagnating career, there was a time when Todd Cantwell was the talk of the Premier League and subject to £50m valuations amid interest from the division’s top clubs.
Whilst things haven’t worked out that way as things stand, it is a clear indicator of the talent the graceful midfielder has and how much Rangers stand to benefit if they can unlock it.
Todd Cantwell riling Celtic on and off the pitch
Against Celtic, Todd Cantwell put in a spirited performance in his usual, and surprisingly, combative style in a good indication that he can be a big player for Rangers going forward.
But heading into next season it’s clear the player must form part of the Ibrox crux who can take the team forward and properly compete on the domestic stage for the club.
Rangers need bite, bark and ability and – whilst we don’t want to talk too much too soon – it certainly appears that Todd Cantwell has this in abundance.
But despite once again finding himself on the losing side against Celtic, Todd Cantwell has managed to get under the skin of our rivals for in-game brinksmanship.
Celtic supporters are melting down over a clip of the midfielder denying Reo Hatate some water – something which certainly tots up the staunch points – in a defiant moment of Old Firm grift.
But the most self-righteous support in football are viewing it as a war crime as sport’s greatest moaners take to Twitter and demand The Hague intervene. What a brass neck.
This from the same group of supporters who’ve revelled in the utterly disgraceful treatment of Rangers fans in the Europa League Final clash with Eintracht Frankfurt, where water was denied to thirsty supporters.
They are honestly the most cringeworthy, embarrassing, brain-dead bunch in the game and let’s hope Todd Cantwell is sending Celtic into meltdown on the park next season too.
The player’s introduction into Rangers has been a breath of fresh air and let’s hope he’s the first of many who’ll take the game to the forces of evil.
