Tom Lawrence injury opens door for Scott Arfield to grab Rangers chance
Tom Lawrence is a major injury doubt for Rangers’ first Old Firm battle of the season – and that could open the door for Scott Arfield to continue his good form.
The Scottish Sun reported on Thursday 1 September that the influential Lawrence is a major injury doubt for the Parkhead tussle after suffering a knee strain in the Gers’ 4-0 win over Ross County.
Lawrence has been a revelation since his summer move from Derby County after becoming a free agent and will be a huge loss for Giovanni van Bronckhorst in what is shaping up to be a huge encounter against their Glasgow rivals.
In recent weeks van Bronckhorst has adopted variations of a 4-3-3 formation and 4-2-3-1, with Lawrence either occupying one of the deeper lying midfield roles or either side of a three-man midfield.
The Rangers boss has entrusted the likes of Ryan Jack, John Lundstram and Steven Davis to operate alongside Lawrence in their last six matches.
However, Arfield has been largely deployed from the bench, particularly in European and Scottish Premiership matches.
Van Bronckhorst may be missing a trick, with the 33-year-old now in fine goalscoring form, that ranks amongst the best at the club.
Arfield has netted four times this season and is averaging 1.25 goals per game at the moment, which is the best minutes per goal at Ibrox.
He is also coming off netting two goals in the Gers’ 3-1 Scottish League Cup win over Queen of the South.
Arfield knows how to handle Old Firm fixtures and is certainly a combative presence in the middle of the park.
If van Bronckhorst is looking to replace Lawrence’s goalscoring threat from midfield then he surely has to consider the former Burnley man.
In other Rangers news, training AWOL reports have been shut down on deadline day as player exit talk goes away