If ever Ibrox Noise was fundamentally against one particular signing, the latest bizarre Rangers rumour would be it. Rangers have been long linked with many players over the years. In many of these cases, they are players that Ibrox Noise would not have in Govan if you paid us a fortune. The latest bizarre rumour is yet another example of this. This particular story is well up there with Josh Windass. We absolutely did not want the current Wrexham player to come to Ibrox. His return would have been extremely unwelcome, given just how divisive he was.
A Divisive Return Few Want
But the latest rumour involves another Championship player who once plied his trade in Govan. Yes, we’re sure you may have seen the latest rumours regarding Todd Cantwell. He is the former Rangers playmaker who started out as an outstanding addition in the 2023 winter window under Michael Beale. He then faded pretty dramatically the following season. The hype went to his head and his attitude crumbled. Replacement manager Philippe Clement had a massive falling out with him after that. At that point, Cantwell’s time at Rangers was numbered. The fact is that for the first five months, he was a genuinely excellent player for Rangers.
Pressure
But that came with a condition. That condition was that Rangers had already lost the league. He arrived when there was very little pressure. Even if there is always pressure at Rangers, it eases a bit if the league is already gone. Cantwell (and Rangers) struggled when that pressure returned the following season. The opening day against Kilmarnock showed that clearly. Michael Beale and his regime struggled terribly. Cantwell was part of that. He never shone during that pre season either. Thereafter, he was pretty poor by comparison with his opening season. These days, in the Championship, he has been in Team of the Week twice from 32 attempts. Highest score being 8.8. This is not outstanding. He does not regularly shine at the top level. He is nothing more than a mid table Championship player who can shine occasionally.
From £40M Prospect to Championship Regular
Todd Cantwell, once upon a time, was worth around £40M. Yes, really. In his Norwich days, Aston Villa had sought to replace the departed Jack Grealish. Grealish had been sold to Manchester City for £100M. Villa targeted the Carrow Road playmaker but Norwich got greedy. and hey would not accept any less than £50M. This was an official price tag set by the Norwich board. Consequently, his move to Villa did not happen. From that moment onwards, Cantwell became an outcast at Norwich City.
Attitude and appetite
He lost his attitude and his appetite. He did not get the big move. Consequently, his attitude plummeted. This is why Rangers were able to sign him for just £1.7M. He initially looked like a big money talent. Without pressure, he looked like a player of serious value. He showed flashes of that talent at Rangers. But it has not emerged that way in the Championship for Blackburn Rovers. He does not look that player anymore. He does not look capable of being that player again. If he was the big time player he’d not be in the Championship.
Attitude, Pressure, and Final Verdict
The problem with Cantwell is simple. He had talent. He had the ability to be special. But his attitude held him back. Once he missed the Villa move, he never realised that potential. That moment defined his decline. It is also possible he would have crumbled at Villa. The pressure of the fee may have overwhelmed him. The higher level of the Premier League may have been too much.
No thank you
But no, in case there was any doubt, Ibrox Noise would never want him back. Not in any capacity. We got four or five decent months out of him. That was it. That was your lot. His attitude after that was diabolical and his personality is questionable. His resemblence to Richard Branson unmistakable. Nevertheless, Cantwell will hopefully come nowhere near Rangers again. If Danny Rohl actually wants this player, along with other questionable signings, we would strongly object to the latest bizarre Rangers rumour. To say the least.