Michael Beale has told Viaplay after Rangers secured a 3-0 win over Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup that new Ibrox signing Todd Cantwell needs to be more “spiteful” – sharing details of a chat he had with him on the side of the pitch.
Cantwell, 25, got an assist for Scott Arfield on Sunday as the Gers eased to a 3-0 win over lower-league opposition. They are in the hat for the semi-finals as they look to retain the trophy that Giovanni van Bronckhorst won last season.
The January recruit is beginning to start more and more often for Rangers and he was crucial in their 3-0 win. It was only the third time in nine appearances for Rangers in which he lasted 90 minutes. Beale is keeping him on his toes.
Indeed, speaking to Viaplay alongside the likes of Ally McCoist and Stephen Craigan, Beale said that he has challenged Cantwell to be more “spiteful”. He also shared details of a chat on the side of the pitch he had with midfielder Cantwell.
“Todd Cantwell, I want him to be a bit more spiteful in the final third. He’s shown everyone he is a good player, but can he make the difference in the games that count,” Beale said, when discussing Cantwell after the 3-0 win over Raith.
“There’s a lot going in the background, maybe I should smile a bit more,” Beale continued. “I had a conversation with him on the side of the pitch five minutes before, saying ‘come on, when are you going to get your numbers’.”
Beale: New Rangers signing Cantwell needs to be more spiteful
Cantwell is yet to score for Rangers in his nine games, laying on two assists. While he has shown some battle, some lovely technique and often, the pass before the assist – Beale has clearly challenged Cantwell to get his numbers up.
Another assist after the chat he had with Beale will certainly go down well. What Beale clearly wants from Cantwell is to perhaps, stop taking the safe option and get himself in the box more often. He is certainly capable of scoring goals.
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