What Clement told Cantwell in honest Rangers sitdown as boss delivers killer 'tennis player' quip
Clement and Cantwell held an honest chat about the performance that led to the winger being hooked against Aris.
Philippe Clement held an honest chat with Todd Cantwell about his performance on Thursday - and says he got exactly the reaction he wanted from the 'frustrated' Rangers playmaker.
Clement brutally hooked Cantwell after just 35 minutes against Aris with Ross McCausland emerging from the bench to find the equaliser in a disappointing 1-1 Europa League draw. After the game he said Cantwell had been ineffective off the right flank and lacked the penetration he was looking for from his wingers.
Despite that Cantwell kept a place in the starting XI to face St Mirren on Sunday, but played through the middle with McCausland and matchwinner Abdallah Sima on the wings. And it was a far better performance from the Englishman who set up both of Sima's goals in a routine 2-0 win. It was more like it from the former Norwich man and Clement reveals it came after an honest sitdown where they discussed his dreary display against Aris - and how to improve it.
Clement said: "We talked about the game on Thursday and he agreed he was not doing what he should do. He was frustrated with himself also. This is the reaction that I wanted.
"It's a team sport, otherwise we need to become a tennis player or something. We're part of a team and Todd is part of the team, we talked about that."
But Clement refused to rule out returning Cantwell to the wing role he struggled in - pointing to how effective he was there in the Ibrox win over Sparta Prague where he scored what proved to be the winner. Clement went on: "I know this is a better position for him (central midfield) but we need to look at the circumstances and all the injuries on the right side.
"We didn't have many players available. I don't forget he did well against Sparta Prague, he was one of the best players. He knows that. He stays available to play on the right side, the left side or in the centre. We are very clear about that."