Sliding doors moment that saw Lowry go from 'important player for the future' to making Rangers exit
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Rangers are in the process of clearing the decks with Philippe Clement intent on ridding the club of all the dead wood.
The squad will be trimmed and fine-tuned with Nils Koppen hoping that the academy plays a key part too, however, those who make the breakthrough won't be as financially rewarded as those in the past.
Rangers have announced the departure of Alex Lowry to Wycombe Wanderers for an undisclosed fee, almost two years to the day since he announced his arrival as a potential star.
Alex Lowry leaves Rangers in permanent move after high hopes
After replacing Ianis Hagi, who had injured his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, Lowry marked his debut with a well taken goal and a fine performance.
Since then, he has made just 14 appearances with his two goals and two assists all coming during the end of the 2021/22 season when Giovanni van Bronckhorst put his trust in the young playmaker.
At the time, the Rangers manager, clearly felt that the Scotland youth cap had a very bright future at Ibrox:
“Alex is one of the big talents that we have coming through from the academy and we are in talks for him to sign a new contract," said the Dutch boss when asked about Lowry's contract situation.
“I think he will be an important player for the future of this club.”
How much money was Lowry on at Rangers?
A reported deal worth £6,500 per week, via Salary Sport, was signed, but it has been downhill almost ever since.
After signing his new contract, Lowry played just 110 minutes in roughly 32 months and banked approximately £832,000.
Problems with fitness during pre-season at the start of 2022/23 was compounded by a nasty ankle injury caused by a horror tackle playing against Alloa for the B team, just as he looked back to his best.
Sliding doors decision Rangers made that blocked Lowry’s path
What didn't help that season was Scott Arfield being offered a new contract and immediately blocking Lowry's path to the first team.
Yes, he was a safe pair of hands, but Lowry had shown enough in the previous season to be trusted – the type of mistake Rangers have to avoid in the future.
The tragic loss of his mother saw football, rightly, put to one side until the following campaign only for a promising start on loan at Hearts to fizzle out and be cut short.
Lowry has been far too good for academy football and the B team for some time, but he hasn't done enough to impress three different Rangers managers whilst players who aren't as talented, such as Ross McCausland and Cole McKinnon, have been squad regulars.
It's never one thing why a player doesn't make the step from youth to senior football.
For Lowry, it has never been about talent.
It's now up to him to prove the doubters wrong.
