Todd Cantwell reveals creeping Rangers exit doubts as he talks up his maturity to pull off masterplan

Former Rangers star Todd Cantwell claims his "maturity" saw him stick by his transfer request - as he conceded moments of doubt over his Ibrox exit push.

The playmaker joined Blackburn Rovers on deadline day after former boss Philippe Clement made clear it wasn't his call to not include the wantaway star in the B team. However, Cantwell has batted away those claims as he insisted that he had never declared that he wouldn't play for the club again - and has now opened up on his time in the reserves that left him with some regret over his to leave the Scottish Premiership behind.

The 26-year-old is in line to make his first Blackburn appearance this weekend against Bristol City - but insists boss John Eustace won't rush him into action after a chaotic pre-season. Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph: "I definitely think I can be ready to go. I've had some tough sessions and if I can get through that, I can get through games. The management here will be very important here with how I'm integrated back into consistent games in the Championship.

"We know what it's like, there are a lot of games in quick succession. We will have to be sensible with not trying to do too much, too early. I am desperate to play so if you ask me I'm ready to go but that's why we have medical advisors and management to make those decisions."

And discussing his time frozen out of the Rangers first-team picture, he went on to confess seeing his teammates in action daily left him doubting his decision to leave Ibrox. Cantwell said: "It was difficult (training away), it's not a situation you ever want to be in as a player.

"I got on with all the players in the changing room and when you're sat watching that happen, they go out to train, you wonder