Philippe Clement fumes at treatment of Rangers star Todd Cantwell that will keep him out for one month

Philippe Clement believes the heavy-handed treatment Todd Cantwell received at St Johnstone contributed to injury that will keep the Rangers ace out for a month.

The Ibrox playmaker had to be replaced midway through last week’s win in Perth after a bruising encounter with Craig Levein’s team. And after sitting out Saturday’s 5-0 thumping of Hearts, he now faces another four weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

Clement wasn’t happy with the level of physicality directed at the former Norwich ace, in particular a David Keltjens challenge that went unpunished just before Mohamed Diomande’s McDiarmid opener. And he felt referee Matthew MacDermid could have taken a stronger approach on the day. However, the Ibrox gaffer insists he’s not looking for special protection for his star men.

Asked if Saints’ robust challenges had played a part in Cantwell’s injury, the big Belgian said: “For sure, it will not have helped. Todd has made a really positive evolution in that way. His attitude is much better the last couple of weeks.

“Todd’s always been a player who is really good on the ball but sometimes he’s a little bit too provocative. I’ve spoken with him about that. He’s learned lessons and the moment he started to play more simply, he started to play better too.

“So for sure, in this game he could have been more protected because there were a few challenges. For sure I remember one in the midfield where he gets (flipped over) and for me those are always yellow cards. But I am not a referee so for sure I’m not going to go in those discussions because I am a coach, not a referee.”

He added: “I don’t think refs need to protect one player more than the other. I think their job is to follow the rules of the game and to help