Rangers' Todd Cantwell has started quickly thanks to surprise quality

The January arrival was electric throughout, operating on the right side of an extremely fluid midfield.

Cantwell caught the eye for his contributions on the ball, alongside what he provided off it. As covered in the Rangers Review’s post-match analysis, he amassed 12 pressures, 10 ball recoveries and won eight of the 11 defensive duels contested.

“He hasn't played a lot of football but one thing with Todd is he's super fit and he covers a lot of distances,” Michael Beale said reflecting on the 25-year-old’s performance at his press conference on Monday.

“I think you're seeing some things that maybe you weren't aware of with Todd in terms of his work ethic and his willingness to win the ball back.”

Cantwell arrived with a reputation for being something of a luxury player but has quickly dispelled any notion that he doesn’t work hard off the ball. His intensity out of possession compliments Cantwell's technical qualities when on the ball.

Supporters will be hoping that after just five starts, there’s plenty more to come. This is the type of player that the Ibrox faithful love.

Take this example from Saturday’s first half. After Rangers regain a high ball, Cantwell picks up possession and immediately looks forward.

Recognising the space available on the opposite side of the field, he plays a one-two with Ryan Kent, allowing Rangers to bypass the midfield and Cantwell an opportunity to break lines with a pass.

From here, Cantwell plays with his head up, assessing his options. Having spotted Sakala’s movement on the right, Cantwell drifts left in order to create a better angle before chopping back inside and playing a perfectly-weighted ball into the attacker.

Cantwell was arguably the only player who didn’t let performance levels drop throughout the entire 90 minutes. Even in the second half as Rangers faded, the new arrival kept pushing forwards.

Here’s an example that encapsulates his on and off-ball qualities. After Rangers are caught playing out from the back, an all too regular occurrence in the second half, Cantwell recognises Kilmarnock have an extra man in the attack and works back quickly.

With Tavernier funnelling his man inside the pitch trying to show Kilmarnock’s ball carrier into a busy area, Cantwell spots Rory McKenzie running free on the outside.

Tavernier and Nico Raskin disrupt the transition enough to allow Cantwell recovery time and the midfielder intercepts a through ball, but he doesn’t stop there.

It’s here that we see another of Cantwell’s qualities – his ability to carry the ball over distance and offer a dynamic central threat.

READ MORE: Why Michael Beale's Rangers two striker template is working

Recognising the space ahead and the disrupted shape of the game, Cantwell knows he needs to take his side up the pitch. It’s one thing to recognise this and an entirely different matter charging 50 yards forward with the ball at your feet.

But Cantwell does just that, with a clever touch to evade Alan Power he takes four opponents out of the game, turning a potential Kilmarnock counterattack into a Rangers chance within a matter of seconds.

Cantwell’s energy and application off the ball was also evident the week prior, in a Viaplay Cup Final defeat at the hands of Celtic. He’s an intelligent presser, as shown in this action.

As Callum McGregor receives the ball, Ryan Jack moves forward to pressurise him and force the Celtic captain backwards.

Recognising this, Cantwell angles his run and times an interception perfectly to launch an attack.

As Rangers break, Cantwell has numerous options but opts for the white-outlined pass. Perhaps tiredness plays a role but if Kent and Alfredo Morelos operate closer to the last line of Celtic's defence, this chance becomes a lot more dangerous.

Cantwell’s pass is on the money, allowing Morelos ample time to pick a cross, but he ultimately loses possession.

“I think he's a very interesting player when playing close to the number nine, but I also think he's a very interesting player a little bit deeper in the pitch,” Beale added on Monday.

“Certainly when playing against a low block, because I think he's able to bring the ball and connect the midfield and the forwards. I'm absolutely delighted with him.”

There was never any serious doubt that Cantwell would possess the technical qualities to thrive at Ibrox. What he’s shown in five starts to date is an ability to match that with hard work and energy, which is reenergizing the engine room at Ibrox.