I understand Rangers fans’ anger but here’s why Lundstram and Cantwell HAVE to start Scottish Cup final vs Celtic
JOHN LUNDSTRAM and Todd Cantwell wouldn’t win a popularity contest among Rangers fans right now.
Not many have forgiven the outgoing midfielder’s Old Firm red card as Celtic effectively wrapped up the title.
Cantwell’s ‘Shushburger’ social media post after scoring in a 3-3 draw with Hearts on Premiership trophy day also sparked anger.
But, for me, both Lundstram and Cantwell have to start in tomorrow’s Scottish Cup final.
Philippe Clement was quizzed this week about Lundstram’s involvement and made it clear he wouldn’t be swayed by fans.
The Ibrox boss is right. He can’t pick a team based on popularity. It must be on ability.
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Look, I get both sides of this Lundstram debate. His red card at Parkhead was crazy and killed his team’s chances.
Rangers fans were entitled to feel let down by him and I understand why some think he shouldn’t play for the club again.
But Clement can’t base such a huge decision on one moment of madness. Before that red card, most Rangers fans would have been happy to see Lundstram sign a new contract.
He’s been one of the top three performers since Clement arrived and made the PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year.
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In his three years, Lundstram has been a regular, consistent performer and a key part of the 2022 Europa League final team.
He clearly won’t be part of Clement’s rebuild, with his contract running out, but he can still make one final contribution.
You can be sure that nobody would have been hurting more than him after his Old Firm red card.
You can also be certain that Lundstram would take to the Hampden pitch tomorrow with a massive point to prove.
He let himself down last time out against Celtic, but a fit Lundstram remains Rangers’ best option in that midfield area.
There are a lot of calls for Nico Raskin to replace him, but I’d ask this — why has he featured so little under Clement?
The Belgian midfielder had a head start on everyone in the squad when his compatriot came to the club in October.
Raskin was familiar to Clement. The incoming Rangers manager had watched him for years and we all expected the player to kick on.
Instead, it went the other way and Raskin, after returning from injury, found himself on the bench for months.
Until Lundstram’s red card, there weren’t many calls for the Belgian to be reinstated.
But he isn’t the first Rangers player in recent times to become a better player in the eyes of the fans after he’s had a spell out of the team.
Take a step back and there must be a reason why Clement chose Lundstram ahead of him for so long.
Raskin did well when he came on at Parkhead, but Gers were 2-1 down and had nothing to lose at that point.
Getting a grip of the midfield at Hampden from the start tomorrow will be a completely different challenge.
Lundstram, despite the fact he’s leaving, remains Rangers’ best choice for that role.
Maybe there is a way to get both Lundstram and Raskin into the Cup Final team, alongside Mohamed Diomande.
But Rangers will surely need some attacking intent in the midfield, which brings me on to Cantwell.
He divides opinion and his social media stuff doesn’t help him.
Rangers fans get annoyed by it and Celtic supporters mock it, but for ability, pace and energy Cantwell is the best man for that No 10 role.
Clement tried Tom Lawrence in there against Celtic recently and it didn’t work.
Cantwell is due a chance and it’s up to him to show that he can really step up on the big occasion.
Rangers need to be brave with their team selection tomorrow and that also goes for those battling to be fit.
Sports scientists play a big role in modern football, but Clement can’t afford to pick his team based on what he’s being told by them.
Call me old-fashioned, but some players will have to put their bodies on the line. If the likes of Ridvan Yilmaz, Abdallah Sima and Leon Balogun are fit enough for the bench, then they are fit enough to start.
Any talk of ‘They can only play 30 or 45 minutes’ should be ignored by the Rangers manager. This is a cup final. Players should be busting a gut to play. Risks will have to be taken.
Clement has protected people coming back from injury during the league season, but he can’t afford to do that tomorrow.
It’s an Old Firm Scottish Cup final and there is a lot at stake for both clubs.
But there is no doubt Rangers have more riding on the outcome of this game than Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers’ players have already delivered their No 1 target, the Premiership title.
They’d be gutted to miss out on the Scottish Cup, but they have secured the main prize.
For Rangers and Clement, another Old Firm defeat is unthinkable.
The Ibrox boss has failed to beat Celtic on three occasions and doesn’t want that run to stretch to four, especially with a Parkhead trip looming early next season.
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This is a massive match for Clement and his players as they look to make amends for coming up short in the title race.
If they manage to pull off a famous Old Firm Hampden win, Cantwell can dish out as many Shushburgers as he likes.
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