Norwich once rated Rangers’ Todd Cantwell at £50M – and here’s why

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Norwich once rated Rangers’ Todd Cantwell at £50M – and here’s why
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 28: Todd Cantwell of Rangers applauds their fans after the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Rangers FC and St. Johnstone FC at Ibrox Stadium on January 28, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

If one thing is clear from the past five or so matches, it’s that Rangers have a player now in midfield who has pushed the level of the team up a notch, and who crosses into ‘exceptional’ territory.

Todd Cantwell, just turned 25, is hitting his football peak in the sport, and Rangers are the absolute beneficiary of this, with a player who was rated at £50M only 18 months ago by Norwich (they refused to sell below that to Villa who sought a Grealish replacement) now showing why he was once viewed so highly.

It’s hard to remember a player who has eased into the shirt this seamlessly – we’ve made the comparison before but he reminds us of the instant impact Carlos Cuellar made all those years ago, and how the Spaniard looked a class above anything before or frankly since him.

Well Cantwell looks a class above everyone else in the team, even when they all have outstanding matches as they did last night at Easter Road.

Looking at Cantwell’s numbers:

90% passing (only Goldson bested this)
Key passes, 1.
3 crosses, one attempt at a long ball (accurate)
Tackles 1, interceptions 3
Dribbles, 3.

He was everywhere, and he made and makes the game look absolutely easy.

Look here, at the sequence Rangers posted of some of his play:

That kind of composure, retention, power, vision, workrate – these are the attributes Cantwell has in abundance and we’d say he’s still getting up to speed with his own match fitness.

In an alternative world, had he got a move to a Premier League team, Cantwell would be an England squad member. Not sure he’s quite at the level of starting for them, and it’s hard to measure a player against Hibs compared with Man Utd, but every match the lad has played he’s just looked a different animal to the thoroughly average players Rangers have frequently had in that area.

Well, not thoroughly average, but ‘standard SPL fare’ level.

Cantwell is a different breed.

He’s got a second chance at Rangers and he is taking it – continue on this vein of form over the season and beyond, and not only will the £2M for him look like an insult to Norwich, but Premier League sides will absolutely be interested.

And Cantwell will earn Rangers a fortune.

Not bad for player Norwich were happy to get rid of.

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