Glasgow Rangers they have signed several players from England over the past few years with varying degrees of success.
The likes of Juninho Bacuna, Kieran Dowell and George Edmundsson failed to light up Ibrox after moving to Scotland.
On the other hand, Joe Aribo, Leon Balogun and Jack Butland shone during their periods with the Light Blues. One name that stands out – despite the acrimonious end to his spell at Rangers – is Todd Cantwell.
The Englishman has looked like one of the best players in the Premiership in his time, no doubt about that.
Todd Cantwell’s Rangers stats
Michael Beale hasn’t quite gone his way during his 10-month tenure in charge of the Gers, but the January 2023 signings of Cantwell and Nic Raskin have been one success story.
The former Norwich City starlet took to Scottish football with ease, scoring six goals and grabbed five assists for the club during his first few months.
Next season, 15 goal contributions were registered as the Light Blues won the League Cup, but it was clear that Philippe Clement he wasn’t too keen on Cantwell.
He is English create seven great opportunities while he averaged 1.7 key passes per game in the Premier League last term, but was sold to Blackburn Rovers last summer.
Judging by his stats, Cantwell was a decent signing and could still contribute to the team this term if he hadn’t been sold.
|
Todd Cantwell’s home run stats for the Rangers |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Metric |
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
|
Objectives |
6 |
7 |
|
Assists |
4 |
5 |
|
Great chances were created |
5 |
7 |
|
Key passes per match |
1.3 |
1.7 |
|
Total shots per game |
2.1 |
2.3 |
There are many players from the EFL who have a lot to offer and the Gers have recently been linked with the current Watford defender.
Considering the injury crisis in the defence, it is clear that the Belgian coach will be ready to add reinforcements to this area of the pitch.
The Rangers could repeat the Cantwell masterclass
It was published at the beginning of the month that the Light Blues have made a bid for Watford centre-back Ryan Porteous as they look to sign him.
The Scot is well known to the Ibrox faithful, particularly for his often provocative actions when playing against the club during his time at Hibs.
There is no doubt that the defender is talented, however, but things have not gone well for him this term in the Championship. Indeed, the 6-foot-2 titan has he only started 17 games for Watford.
Nevertheless, there is he still won 57% of his total duels competed per game in the second division, completing 85% of his passes and 1.7 tackles per game.
having performed over 150 performances for Hibs during his time in Edinburgh, Porteous is well used to the physicality of Scottish football, which could make him a solid signing for the Gers.
John Hughes hailed the defender as “a thoroughbred type of player” back in 2022 and this type of central defender is exactly what the Rangers and Clement need.
A lot will depend on how much money the manager has to spend, but if Watford are going to demand a reasonable price for the 25-year-old, then a concrete offer should be made.
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Having seen the benefits of signing Cantwell from England’s second division during the January window, the Gers could repeat the trick with a move for Porteous this month.
