On Thursday, March 14, the Light Blues take on the Portuguese powerhouses in the second leg of their round of 16 contest. After goals from Tom Lawrence and Dujon Sterling in the first game, the draw is evenly poised at 2-2.
Although Clement stated that Cantwell would rejoin the team after recovering from his injury, the Belgian did not specify in what capacity. Ferguson, however, thinks the Englishman would be added right away at Ibrox.
On March 13, at 28:15, he made the following statement on The Go Radio Football Show: “You’ve put me under a bit of pressure.” I genuinely believe he might start Cantwell right away.
Is Todd Cantwell healthy enough to start for Rangers in the Europa League matchup with Benfica?
There aren’t many Rangers players that have played as well as Cantwell has during the winter break. After a sluggish start under the Belgian, the attacking midfielder has flourished under Clement.
It would make perfect sense for Clement to bring the former Norwich player back into the starting lineup for Thursday night’s match, since the Gers always look better when he is on the field. This game could be as important to the season as any.
There are plenty of players in the squad who are ready and waiting to replace the 26-year-old should he start to tire and become fatigued in the second half, including Lawrence, Fabio Silva, and Kemar Roofe.
Clement needs players who can change the course of a game with a single move in these kinds of European ties. Cantwell is the only member of Light Blue who routinely produces those moments, but Lawrence and Silva are also capable of them.
Ferguson may be correct, and hopefully the Englishman will be ready to go on Thursday night.
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