Todd Cantwell is hoping his stellar performance in Rangers’ 2-0 Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Hearts at Hampden last weekend can be the perfect springboard for him to help the Ibrox side complete their quest for the treble in their next six matches.

Cantwell produced one of his best performances in a light blue jersey against Steven Naismith’s side at the national stadium as his two assists allowed Cyriel Dessers to set up a showpiece final against title challengers Celtic on May 25.

The former Norwich midfielder has had an up-and-down first full season at Ibrox, with niggling injuries interrupting his run of games in the team, and he freely admits that his feisty on-field persona and his social media activities off the pitch draw a lot of extra attention towards him.

But having tasted success at Hampden already this season, Cantwell is adamant that playing on that stage has only fuelled his desire for more silverware.

“I think, as a player here, you need the hunger anyway, but playing at that stadium, it’s a nice stadium,” said the 26-year-old. “In England, they play at Wembley, which is a cool experience.

“It just takes you out of your comfort zone a bit. I enjoy that challenge, for me it’s refreshing.

“I’d like [my performance in the semi-final] to be a baseline. I don’t think it was anywhere near my best performance or any performance I can provide, which is nice for me because it got well received. Me moving forward at my fittest and best, playing where and how I want to play, there is a lot more to come.

“So if that can be my baseline until the end of the season, it can stand us in a good place."

Despite the positive reaction to his role in helping Rangers to reach the Scottish Cup final, the attacking midfielder has been on the receiving end of his fair share of negative comments – some from some former players in particular – since his arrival from Carrow Road last January. But he insists his focus is on continuing to deliver for his team and their supporters.

He added: “I think people can make up their own minds about my on-field perception.

“I do think it’s probably unfair and there’s certain people out that like to jump on it and play up to it.

“It’s a bit strange because there’s so much more going on but it seems to be highlighted quite a lot.

“I am the type of player that invited conversation, I know that, and probably controversy as well.

“I would like to be talked about in terms of how I play football more than anything else. I understand up here you have people who need to stay relevant and stay in the limelight.

“It is part of what it is and you just need to move on with it.

“For me, I’m concentrating on my football. We’ve some big games coming up and I’m looking forward to finishing the season as strongly as possible.”

While playing for Norwich City in the Premier League and Championship in England means Cantwell is used to being noticed pretty much wherever he goes, the midfielder admits the experience of playing for Rangers in Glasgow has magnified the spotlight on him significantly. But while others will have their view on the flamboyant playmaker, he insists people often have the wrong impression of him as an individual.

“I try to keep myself to myself,” Cantwell said. “Everyone has an on-field perception and an off-field perception. My on-field perception is probably very wrong compared to the person that I am.

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

“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 same person I am off the pitch is the same person I feel I am on it. People are always going to have opinions and they will always differ. A lot of people will make their own minds up, that’s life and football.

“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 verification from people who are irrelevant to me.”

Asked if it was more difficult for friends and family to hear some of the negative reactions, Cantwell added: “They probably end up biting their tongue a lot more than I do. I’ve been in the football industry for a long time now and a lot of things probably go over my head.

“People maybe think they don’t but they do. But for my family, they are probably sitting there chewing over it.

“My family understand me as a person and a player. They know exactly what type of lad I am. Stuff like that doesn’t bother me.”