Todd Cantwell admits late Rangers Cup Final call as personal anguish was parked so tough week could end with silver lining

Courageous Todd Cantwell admits he had to park his personal anguish to help drive Rangers over the line at Hampden.

It’s been a dream week for the Ibrox side as they bounced straight from securing a Europe League last 16 ticket with that historic win over Real Betis into clinching Viaplay Cup glory against Aberdeen. But for attacking ace Cantwell, the same few days have been overshadowed by a troubling family issue he’s been contending with in the background.

The 25-year-old didn’t want to go into details after opting to sit out the Light Blues’ first ever victory over La Liga opposition on Spanish soil and nor should he have to. Dealing with matters of concern in his private life rightly come first. All the Rangers support need to know is that when he felt ready to step back out into the public arena, the Englishman was as brave as ever, helping to inject energy into a lifeless Light Blues performance as Philippe Clement’s team eventually overpowered Aberdeen thanks to James Tavernier’s late winner.

Asked how hard the decision to play was after everything he’s gone through this week, Cantwell said: “Yeah, it was tough. It was a reasonably late call if I am honest. But I felt like I could contribute.

“I had a good conversation with the manager and he felt that if I felt my mind was right then I should play. It worked out alright.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, I am not going to go into it. I wanted to play for the cause and I wanted to be a part of a great day. I was tired towards the end, to be fair I haven’t trained loads.

“But I gave everything on the park like I always try to do. All that was important on Sunday was the result.”

The news that the former Norwich playmaker was back available for Sunday’s showdown with