Todd Cantwell: A Fresh Start At Rangers Or Misplaced In The Scottish Premiership?

Michael Beale has made his first signing as Rangers manager
13:01, 24 Jan 2023

After 15 years and over 100 first-team appearances for his boyhood club, Todd Cantwell has finally said farewell to Norwich City. It’s been a rollercoaster of a journey that at its peak saw him destroy Manchester City in the Premier League and at its lowest saw him absent from football altogether. 

Now, Rangers have taken a chance on the 24-year-old Englishman who is undoubtedly talented enough to play at the highest level. Michael Beale has made him the first signing of his tenure and clearly believes he can get the best out of him to find the same player we saw three seasons ago at Carrow Road. 

But it’s been a long three years since the England U21 international lit up the Premier League. And in the years since, his dedication to the sport has come into question. He made just eight appearances last season in the Premier League and has started just nine matches in the Championship this term, the last of those coming at the start of November. 

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Cleary there have been some personal issues for Cantwell to deal with behind the scenes. When he was loaned to Bournemouth at the back end of last season he told TalkSPORT how criticism had affected him.

“I’d never seen that side of football and I’d never seen that side of myself really. I was really down and I wasn’t myself at all. In the same breath when you’re hearing about not hitting form and not hitting your personal part, it’s very difficult to understand and accept that when you’re not given the games needed to get a run of form going.”

Having not produced a goal or an assist this term, he was left out of Dean Smith’s plans as the manager’s tenure turned sour. While his team prepared for the return of football after the World Cup break, Cantwell remained in New York, posting Instagram stories of the Home Alone tour he was on. 

He wouldn’t play again for Smith or new boss David Wagner, and now he has secured a permanent move north of the border. But is Rangers and the Scottish Premiership the right place for him to flourish?

There’s no doubting his ability. At his best he is one of the top five players in the entire division and perhaps a fresh start will allow him to press the reset button. He’d been at Norwich since the age of nine and home comforts had become too familiar. 

Stepping out of his comfort zone in this way could give him the boost he needs and allow him to be a star once again. However, he needs to be loved. The Scottish Premiership is a division where he can play for a dominant side that should suit him, but Rangers must be prepared to accept his frailties.

As former academy coach Gary Holt explained to the Daily Record: “Todd ain’t going to tackle or win many headers. He hates heading the ball. He’d rather run a mile than head a ball! He’s never liked heading a ball. I hate tagging players but he’s a luxury player, one of those luxury players at the top end of the pitch who if you give him the ball he will create goals out of nothing. He’d be outstanding at home for Rangers. The big stage, the big crowd. That’s his element.”

“If you left him out on a cold Wednesday night at Dens Park then you wouldn’t be surprised,” he continued. “I’m not saying you wouldn’t play him but why risk him if you have other boys? You know where you need to roll your sleeves up and dig in. You could bring him on for the last 20 minutes away at Dens Park and he’d win you the game but play him at places where you will dictate the game and he can certainly unlock doors, not a problem.”

He’s a mercurial talent, but one that must be nurtured and understood. Holt's assessment may also be a little harsh in that he was one of the Championship’s best pressers under Daniel Farke in two title-winning teams. 

“At his best, he's wonderful to watch,” Brian Laudrup commented. “He's one of those guys who can turn a game on its head with creativity. He's brave on the ball and he wants to take players on.”

Beale is a smart operator and knows the player he has on his hands here. Three seasons ago he was linked with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, and now his career has taken him to Ibrox. If he manages to produce his best and get the Rangers fans onside, he will prove to be one of their best signings in recent times.  

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