Todd Cantwell made a decent first impression in terms of his hunger and outlook on becoming a Rangers player with a suggestion that he could be an effective replacement for Ryan Kent.
The English duo will initially line-up in the same team which will be an exciting prospect to add further dynamism and ability to Rangers in the final third of the pitch. Going forward, that could change given the ongoing contract impasse with Ryan Kent which won’t be resolved immediately.
There is probably as much chance of Kent staying as there is for him wanting a fresh challenge in a different environment but if he does opt for the latter option, Cantwell should be well placed by the start of the new season to take on much of the responsibility that has been on Kent’s shoulders as a key creator for the Gers.
Freedom
On his maiden press conference at Ibrox on Tuesday, Cantwell gave the following response when asked for his views on his best position:
“I’ve made my bread and butter playing off the wing but I think naturally I’ve always been maybe more central. I think that’s probably where I see myself playing in years to come. Luckily that’s where the manager sees it as well.”
“I think he’s aware that I can play in multiple positions and I think the freedom and the rotation that is potentially going to happen here, I think could lead me to play in different positions.”
Under Michael Beale with a license to roam from middle to front, Kent has had a new lease of life on the pitch, free of the shackles that had bound him on the pitch, previously. Now there is another key option for that role which has to be utilised even if Kent will be staying on. If not, his effective ‘replacement’ could be ready made.