Todd Cantwell was photographed wearing a leg brace after Rangers’ match against Celtic on Sunday (3 September), according to the Glasgow Times.
On Tuesday (5 September), Aidan Smith stated on the website that the Rangers midfielder was photographed and recorded in Glasgow airport with a brace on his left leg following the Old Firm derby defeat.
Cantwell played the whole 90 minutes at Ibrox, putting up his customary high-energy effort. During the second half, he was engaged in a strong clash with Daizen Maeda, for which he got long treatment, looking to be suffering the effects of the knock.
Michael Beale doesn’t need anything else to go wrong in the early parts of the season, and both he and Rangers supporters will be hoping Cantwell’s brace is more for security and prevention than any severe injury that may jeopardise both his and the Light Blues’ season.
A concern
Cantwell was one of the few bright lights in what was an absolutely dreary Rangers performance at Ibrox on Sunday, doing his best in an effort to force Beale’s side up the ground and adopting his normal aggressive approach in the centre of the park.
However, judging on the size of the huge brace over his left leg, it may have come at a cost. The benefit for the former Norwich City man is that it couldn’t have come at a better time, with Cantwell now having two weeks off to get back in shape.
The 25-year-old has made six appearances this season and has been an ever-present starter since being dropped out of the starting XI in the opening-day defeat to Kilmarnock, and his fitness will be critical to Beale’s ability to turn around the Gers’ terrible start to the season.
When the international break finishes, the Light Blues will have to navigate both domestic and European football as Beale fights for his job, with swift results essential. That challenge gets much simpler with Cantwell on your side, so Beale will be hoping that the break in fixtures will allow the midfielder to return.
There is also the possibility that Cantwell’s brace was only a precaution, given it is doubtful he suffered any major injuries in the Old Firm, considering he finished the game after colliding with Maeda.
