Todd Cantwell has been charged by Barry Ferguson with disobeying Philippe Clement’s tactical instructions during Rangers’ 1-1 Thursday night tie with Aris.
After just 36 minutes, Cantwell, 25, was replaced by Ross McCausland, who went on to score the equalizer for the Gers in the Europa League group-stage match at Ibrox.
Ferguson, a former Light Blues player, thinks Cantwell was hooked because he was disobeying Clement’s instructions and kept straying into the midfield rather than standing out on the flank.
Ferguson stated on the Daily Record website, “Of course we all know he’s better suited to playing through the middle, but when your manager gives you a job to do, you simply have to do it” (December 2).
Giving his manager the finger is something Cantwell will never get away with, especially after putting on the kind of poor performance he had against Aris. Too many times, Clement had to admonish him for drifting in off the right flank when he was supposed to maintain his width. When the Belgian did not follow his manager’s instructions, he was forced to take action.
“Equitable play to large It was a big decision, Phil, to replace one of your key players halfway through the first half. However, it conveyed the idea that he is in charge and that Todd must now answer.
Why is he at the Rangers?
While we don’t intend to disparage Rangers, Cantwell was connected to teams like Tottenham, Manchester United, and Liverpool not too long ago when he was a productive player in the Premier League [The Express].
After seldom making an appearance for Norwich in the Championship, he eventually left to sign with a Scottish Premiership club.
Rangers is a massive football team, of course, but for someone who was once compared to Portuguese football star Deco, it’s quite the fall from grace.
There are major problems with Cantwell’s actions.
Perhaps when he was younger, he took in too much of the hoopla and thought he was born with a gift that didn’t require development.
He may believe he is more knowledgeable than Clement.
The harsh reality is that he doesn’t, and that despite his talent, he squanders it by being petty, foolish, and dishonest.
Todd, stop sulking about and get back to playing football the way your boss tells you to.
If you do, perhaps one day the world’s Liverpools and Manchester Uniteds will start to watch you again.
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