Following the revelation of a new Rangers injury report, Philippe Clement took aim at the St Johnstone players and referee Matthew McDermid on the care given to Todd Cantwell.
On Sunday, February 18, the former Norwich City midfielder was substituted for the Saints at the hour mark. The Belgian said that Cantwell might be out for a “few weeks.”
According to FotMob, Clement was understandably incensed by the way his player had been treated during his 60 minutes on the pitch and demanded that the officials provide him with more protection.
Clement stated in an interview with Daily Record on Monday, February 27, that “it will not have helped.” In that regard, Todd has evolved in a really good way. He has had a lot more improvement in attitude in the past few weeks.
“Todd has always been a really skilled ball player, but occasionally he can be a touch too aggressive. We’ve had a conversation about that. He has gained knowledge and improved as soon as he began to play more straightforwardly.
“There were a few challenges in this game, so he could have definitely been better protected. I can definitely recall one in which he was (flipped over) in the midfield; in my opinion, those are invariably yellow cards.
“But since I am a coach and not a referee, I will definitely not participate in those talks. Referees don’t have to favour one player over another in my opinion. Their responsibility, in my opinion, is to uphold the game’s regulations and assist us in producing quality football.
Todd Cantwell needs more protection at Rangers
Many athletes have a reputation for taking their opponents to task on the pitch; Brentford’s Neal Maupay is currently the most talked-about example of this following fights with Kyle Walker of Manchester City and Kevin Nolan of West Ham.
Cantwell does not, however, deserve to be kicked and abused on the pitch by irate rival players simply because he has the ability to agitate people.
Referees need to be more vigilant about intentional fouls, particularly in light of the fact that Cantwell was fouled six times at McDiarmid Park and St Johnstone only received three yellow cards out of a possible 24 fouls. [FotMob]
Only one of these yellow cards—David Keltjens entering the book—was the result of a foul on Cantwell. The Gers may also truly miss their star midfield player over the coming weeks given the latest injury news.
Although the 26-year-old’s prognosis was unfortunate, Clement will be happy with the club’s January transfer window activity, which will lessen the impact of the injury.
Should Rangers manage to defeat Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, Mohamed Diomande will be more than capable of filling Cantwell’s place.
