Todd Cantwell has played his final game for Rangers after handing in a second transfer request last night.
Ibrox manager Philippe Clement made the announcement after his team suffered a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City in pre-season. The unplanned loss of another top player has posed a major dilemma for the Belgian ahead of the new season.
The England midfielder was missing from Clement’s squad for the match against St Andrews, as was defender Connor Goldson, who is now on the verge of completing his move to Cypriot club Aris Limassol.
After completing his media duties, Clement came forward again to explain the Cantwell situation, revealing that discussions with the 26-year-old over a previous transfer request had failed to convince him to stay in Glasgow.
Clement said, “Todd Cantwell came to my office a while ago. We have a very good relationship and we’ve talked about it at length.
“He came to us a while ago to say he was ready for a new adventure, that he wanted a new challenge.
Cantwell has played his last game for Rangers after a summer of soul-searching
Clement tried in vain to convince the playmaker that he was already at the ideal club to progress
The Englishman was a colourful player at Ibrox and often at the centre of Old Firm focal points
‘I’ve spoken to him for a long time because I think Rangers is a very good club for him.
‘I wanted to give him time too, so that’s why I haven’t talked about it for the last few weeks. But he came back with the same request.
‘So over the next few weeks I’m going to focus on guys who are part of Rangers.’
Cantwell will no longer train with the first team as he awaits an escape route from Ibrox. The former Norwich star has posted a series of cryptic messages on social media this summer and even got involved in a verbal altercation with a supporter.
Goldson’s departure also moved a step closer last night after Clement confirmed the club had received a ‘concrete offer’.
Tavernier scores an own goal as Rangers fall behind in a 2-1 pre-season defeat at Birmingham
Tavernier has also been strongly linked with a move away from Rangers this summer
The 31-year-old defender was in Cyprus last weekend to discuss a move to Aris Limassol, with the Ibrox club needing to sell before they can buy this summer.
Clement was asked about the situation on Rangers TV ahead of last night’s friendly, revealing: ‘Connor was supposed to start today, that was the idea. But there is a concrete offer for him, so I’ve allowed him to go and talk to this team.
“That’s why I let him go today. We’ll see in the next few days.”
Rangers are still in talks with Trabzonspor over a deal that would see captain James Tavernier leave, while Sam Lammers is close to a £2million deal to join FC Twente.
Clement’s selection for the new season is far from complete, with just one week until kick-off
During last night’s match at St Andrews, both clubs paid tribute to former striker Trevor Francis
Reports from Germany last night suggested Czech winger Vaclav Cerny is set to join Rangers on loan from Wolfsburg.
In last night’s friendly at St Andrew’s, English League One side Birmingham took the lead after nine minutes through an own goal from Tavernier from a dangerous corner. Alfie May doubled the hosts’ lead in the 37th minute in a daunting first half for Rangers.
Winger Scott Wright scored another goal in the 68th minute for Clement’s team, who were supported by 7,000 travelling fans.