Van Bronkhorst signing proving doubters wrong leaving Gers boss with £3.4m decision: Opinion
09/16/2024 01:30 PM
Philippe Clement inherited a team that was at its lowest ebb with Rangers looking like they were years away from ever being able to challenge Celtic.
The manager saw an unexpected bounce when he dragged an unbalanced squad to the top of the Scottish Premiership and secured the league cup trophy in the process.
Things had looked rosy until the problems started to mount up.
One of the issues that Clement hasn't quite solved is at number 10 with Tom Lawrence currently the man in possession of the Rangers starting jersey.
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Tom Lawrence showing signs that he could be Rangers number ten
Domestically, Lawrence has a goal contribution every 110 minutes with two goals and one assist in his five league appearances so far.
The 30-year old might not be the playmaker that fans want, but he is fast becoming the one that Rangers need.
Speaking after the Wales international scored the winner against Dundee United, Clement suggested that Lawrence won't be watching from the bench anytime soon:
“Tom is getting fitter and fitter, it’s important he can continue in this way. We’re very pleased about the goal but also his play without ball.”
Lawrence had looked good when he first signed for Rangers under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
What has always made the last two seasons frustrating, is that the injury he suffered occurred when Rangers were winning 4-0 against Ross County at Ibrox, stretching for a ball in the 94th minute.
On his return, Lawrence has suffered a series of niggly injuries but now has a full pre-season behind him and can focus on form and fitness rather than fearing a relapse.
Speaking to Sky Sports after scoring the winning goal, Lawrence was happy with the result but knew that he could have gone home with the match ball:
"Big result.
“It’s been a long international break. But look, I thought it was a good performance, we dug in when we needed too and got the three points.
“I should have killed off the game with the chances I had but I am just happy for the lads that we got the three points.”
“A little ricochet and I seen the keeper coming out so I just done a little dink. It was nice to get a goal.”
After Todd Cantwell signed for Blackburn Rovers and the manager reiterated his stance on Ianis Hagi, Rangers attacking midfield options are limited.
The £3.4m signing of Nedim Bajrami suggests that the Albania international is who Clement has identified as first choice for the role but he made his debut at Tannadice on the left wing.
Lawrence looked sharper and made several runs past Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane that nearly saw the score line improved.
That he was getting into those positions is a positive sign.
The Gers boss still has a lot of problems to solve, however, given Lawrence's numbers so far, fans might have to get used to him in the starting line up, for now at least.
