Confirmed: Cantwell return update issued by Rangers boss before Motherwell clash

Todd Cantwell is still training separately from the Rangers squad after telling Philippe Clement he wanted to leave and isn’t set to return to the team.

The Gers boss confirmed in his 9 August prematch press conference ahead of the game against Motherwell and Hampden Park that the Englishman remains apart from the main group, despite speculation he could return after reportedly being photographed at Auchenhowie [Daily Record, 9 August].

Clement previously said Cantwell had been left with the B Team after issuing a transfer request [Sky Sports, 25 July], and he is reportedly now close to a Trabzonspor move after the Turkish side’s representation flew in on a private jet for talks [Karadeniz Gazete, 8 August].

On transfer progress Clement said: “I have no idea about that”.

But he ruled out a return at the weekend, saying: “Yes, he’s training separately because he said clearly that he wanted to go. So at the moment I’m training, I’m working, I’m playing games with the players who want to do that here”.

Todd Cantwell tipped for Rangers exit to Trabzonspor

Clement himself has said that the door remains open for Cantwell to get involved with the Light Blues again [Daily Record, 29 July].

But it is hard to see a way that would happen until the transfer window shuts when the Belgian clearly takes a fairly hard line on only involving fully-committed players.

The former Norwich midfielder is believed to have transfer interest from England and abroad [Scottish Sun, 22 July] but, as with various others, unless the right offer is made that doesn’t mean much.

If Cantwell realises he hasn’t got better options by the end of the summer he might decide to make another go of it in Glasgow, but he would likely have to build bridges with the manager.

Clement may be short of options to start the season considering his transfer business is only half finished, but when he is regularly starting Scott Wright and using Jefte in attack he clearly doesn’t see scope in turning to exit-bound options such as Cantwell and Ianis Hagi while they are still here.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have been contacted to sell another first-team starter before the deadline.

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