Former Rangers star Todd Cantwell has firmly denied claims that he refused to play for the club before his departure to Blackburn Rovers. The English midfielder, who joined Blackburn on deadline day, addressed rumors suggesting he had refused to wear the famous light blue jersey under former manager Philippe Clement. Cantwell insisted that, although he made it clear he wanted to leave, he never declined the chance to represent Rangers.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Cantwell said: “There was change around the club and obviously with the manager going, the backroom staff went with him. It felt like a different place. When a new manager comes in, he has to put his stamp on things, and I think we had a bounce where we got in a really good position to go on and do well. I’ve got full respect for the manager, but I didn’t believe it was the right place for me, and those are personal reasons for me.”
Cantwell, who was a key figure at Rangers before his exit, hinted that the style of play under Clement didn’t suit his strengths. He added: “You don’t have to look far behind tactics and the way a team plays and how you get the best version of yourself. I think at 26, if you don’t know what type of changing room you should be in, you’ll bounce around a lot. So I made a decision, it’s a bold decision, and let’s see how it unfolds.”
Cantwell’s departure was thrust into the spotlight when Clement told the press in July, after a friendly defeat to Birmingham City, that the midfielder was seeking an exit. Cantwell clarified that the decision to reveal his desire to leave was not his. “It was his decision to tell the press that was my decision. We’d spoken internally for a while before the season had finished. Ultimately, we couldn’t find a happy medium for both.”
However, Cantwell was adamant in addressing speculation surrounding his commitment to the club. He emphasized: “The one thing I’m desperate to clear up is that I never, ever said I didn’t want to play for Rangers. That never came out of my mouth and never would.”
Cantwell’s move to Blackburn signals the end of his time in Scotland, but the midfielder remains firm that his decision to leave was based on professional considerations rather than any fallout with the club.