Michael Beale made no apologies for demanding more from Todd Cantwell after the Rangers midfielder starred in the 5-2 win over St Mirren on Saturday.
In an eventful cinch Premiership encounter at Ibrox, visiting goalkeeper Trevor Carson saved an early James Tavernier penalty but the Rangers captain set up Cantwell, signed in January along with Belgian playmaker Nicolas Raskin, to open the scoring in the 26th minute from close range.
Saints midfielder Mark O’Hara levelled in first-half added time but Light Blues attacker Fashion Sakala restored the home side’s lead soon after the break only for O’Hara to equalise again in the 65th minute with a strike from the edge of the box.
However, a late double from Alfredo Morelos effectively sealed the points before former Norwich player Cantwell slipped in substitute Scott Arfield to grab a fifth goal and add more gloss to the scoreline.
Rangers boss Beale said: “Todd’s playing well. There’s more to come.
“I’m going to stay on him and make sure we get the player that is within him — one that he deserves to show everyone will ultimately help Rangers moving forward.
“When he’s in and around the box, I’d like to see him put his laces through one or two and not be so soft in his shooting.
“Having said that, he is doing well. I don’t want to seem like Mr Grumpy, but I want more from him.
“I see it, it’s there, so why would I not demand more from him? Why would he not demand more from himself?
“That’s what he needs from me and he’s not the only one. The crowd seem to like him and he’s collecting the man of the match awards. He’s the crowd’s favourite right now.
“When you go into the market you want your players that you bring in to have a big impact on the team.
“With Nico, you can see he blows up a bit physically. He’s just a young boy but puts so much effort in to his game.
“Todd’s the same. They’re not only good footballers but they energise the rest of the team.
“I’m looking for those two to kick on even further after a good pre-season and I want to add some players for them to go on a journey with here”.
With a home fixture against Kilmarnock before the split next week, St Mirren are in fifth place with 44 points, one ahead of Hibernian and two in front of Livingston and still on course for ensure a top-six spot for the first time since the split was introduced in Scotland’s top flight at the start of the century.
Boss Stephen Robinson told SMTV: “We’ll get together on Monday and go again. It is still in our hands.
“If I said last year in July that we would have a home game against Kilmarnock needing a point to be in the top six everybody would have taken it”.
