Crossword Genius

Ref rants about substitution (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

transfer

'substitution' is the definition.
(transferring something else)

'ref rants about' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates an anagram.
'ref'+'rants'='refrants'
'refrants' is an anagram of 'TRANSFER'.

(Other definitions for transfer that I've seen before include "Make over (property to another)" , "Removal" , "Exchange" , "Change to another group or surface" , "Footballer maybe" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app