Michael Beale said he hoped the Rangers fans were as excited as he was about the potential new arrivals he has targeted. And if Gary Holt’s reaction to the main name being linked is anything to go by, then they certainly should.
Todd Cantwell was still in short pants when the Kilmarnock Scottish Cup-winning legend first set eyes on the Norwich City midfielder. Holt had hung up his boots on a playing career that had seen him return to Carrow Road, where he spent four years as a player, to take up the post as assistant at the Canaries Academy.
And he gave an insight into the a player who met as recently as last month during a return visit to Norfolk where he caught up with his former pupil. Speaking on the latest Record Rangers podcast, the 49-year-old told how he believes Cantwell, available to sign a pre-contract, is a better player than Joe Aribo and could eventually rake in the £10million the Nigeria international went to Southampton for. He summed Cantwell up as a luxury player - but one that Rangers CAN afford. Here is Holt’s take on the 24-year-old former England Under-21 man.
When did you first encounter Todd?
Todd was in the academy from when I was still there as a player and when I finished playing I went back as assistant academy manager and he would have been 12 at the time, just going into the Under-13s. He was always a Grade A player and when it comes to the end of season reports he was always the ‘A’ player in his age group. Has he got to a level I thought he’d get to? I thought he’d be a good footballer and he had the talent but he had to find his role in the team. That’s hard as a young player because you get pigeon holed into positions. Todd was one you could play anywhere in front the four positions. It was hard to get him into a position you would say was his exceptional position. He wasn’t out and out number nine but he could play up there because he has an eye for goal. He’s always had exceptional talent and it’s pleasing to see how he’s grown into a young man.
Graham Dorrans compared him to James Maddison in Record Sport - is that fair?
I’d say that’s fair but James is maybe a wee bit more robust than Todd. Todd ain’t going to tackle - and I’m not saying James is a great tackler – or win many headers. He hates heading the ball.
He’d rather run a mile than head a ball! He’s never liked heading a ball. I hate tagging players but he’s a luxury player, one of those luxury players at the top end of the pitch who if you give him the ball he will create goals out of nothing. He’d be outstanding at home for Rangers. The big stage, the big crowd. That’s his element.
But could he do it on a wet Wednesday night at Dens?
He probably could do. I’m maybe doing him a bit of an injustice. But if you left him out on a cold Wednesday night at Dens Park then you wouldn’t be surprised. I’m not saying you wouldn’t play him but why risk him if you have other boys? You know where you need to roll your sleeves up and dig in. You could bring him on for the last 20 minutes away at Dens Park and he’d win you the game but play him at places where you will dictate the game and he can certainly unlock doors, not a problem.
Did you understand Michael Beale’s thinking when you heard the link?
Totally. The way Michael wants to play football, you see how Malik Tillman has come on since Michael arrived. Todd is similar in terms of getting the ball in the final third and drifting away from his opponent. Michael will like him. You need those players because the hardest part of football is scoring. He probably doesn’t score as many goals as his play merits. But he also gets a buzz from creating goals.
Why has he gone off the boil at Norwich?
In the last season in the Premier League when you’re fighting, batting and scrapping he’s a luxury player you don’t need. It’s unfair on him because he puts a shift in and I don’t like tagging these players. People used to say to me Wes Hoolahan was a luxury player but he was voted the best player of the decade at Norwich. You need them. But it went against him because he wasn’t a scrapper and fighter which people felt they needed. It’s hard to lose that tag. He needs to go somewhere. Should he have gone at the peak of his powers? He’s still a young man but he scored against Man City in the Premier League and some of his performances were outstanding but Norwich didn’t have to sell. The Premier League is ruthless and are easily forgotten about.
You then go back into the Championship and you are the big dogs and opponents will scarp and fight and Todd has had niggling injuries so it’s come to the time he has to go and re-energise himself. I went down in the last school holiday before Christmas and we went round the training ground and I had a chat with Todd. My son got his photo taken with him. He’s just desperate to play, he wants to be out there helping and it’s the perfect timing, if it’s Rangers, for Michael to get him.
If Rangers can get him going, potentially could be a £10m player?
Easily £10m and above. Todd can light it up on the biggest stage. Rangers fans will love him because of what he can do. Give him the ball and he’ll create for you. Michael knows what he’d be getting. I'd say Todd’s technically better than Joe Aribo. Joe is more robust and more energy, box to box, but Todd’s a gifted footballer with a very good brain in him. He’s always been a clever footballer and deep thinker, a learner of the game. He was mentioned the £35m mark a few years ago and you don’t lose that.
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