Todd Cantwell hits back at Rangers critics and 'unfair' perception of him

Todd Cantwell has hit back at his critics and accused the of using him to try to stay relevant.

The Rangers midfielder insists there is an unfair perception of him both as a player and as a person, and he feels certain snipers are only out to get him in a bit to "stay relevant". Cantwell has had a public bust-up with Celtic hero Chris Sutton turned pundit in the past and has provoked opinion from other pundits too.

He said: “People can make their own minds up about the on-field perception they have of me. I do think it’s probably unfair — and that there are certain people out there that like to jump on it. But I understand up here you have people who need to stay relevant and stay in the limelight.

"I’m the type of player that invites conversation — and probably controversy as well. I know that. I've found it a bit strange because there’s so much more going on, but it does seem to be highlighted.

“I’d like to be talked about in terms of how I play football more than anything else. But it’s part of what it is and you just need to move on with it.

“It would be easy for me to be a lot more introverted as a person. But I don’t want to ever live a lie, I don’t want to be false. The person I am off the pitch is the same person I feel I am on it.

“Everyone has an on-field perception and an off-field perception. My on-field perception is probably very wrong compared to the person I am.

“But you’re in a city where football is adored by both sides and you’re going to be recognised by people.

“People are always going to have opinions and they’ll always differ. A lot of people will make their own minds up, that’s life.

“But I don’t plan on changing for anyone. The people who are important to me know me and are happy with me. I don’t need validation from people who are irrelevant to me.

“My family and friends probably end up biting their tongues a lot more than I do. I’ve been in the football industry a long time now and a lot of things probably go over my head. People maybe think they don’t, but they do.