Tom Lawrence can be like new transfer for Rangers boss Michael Beale
Some eagle-eyed Rangers fans may have seen the lesser-spotted Tom Lawrence pictured in pre-season training as the Gers uploaded a photo gallery of their session on July 17.
The 29-year-old headed to the blue side of Glasgow last summer on a free transfer having left League One’s Derby County, but only managed to make five Scottish Premiership appearances before an achilles tendon injury ended his season in August.
In the time since the Welsh international last pulled on the famous blue shirt, there has been plenty of change at Ibrox, including in the dugout where Giovanni van Bronkhurst (who signed Lawrence) has long since been replaced by Michael Beale.
In his first five games, Lawrence immediately impressed, scoring and assisting twice from his advanced midfield position while also managing to find the net in the Champions League qualifying round against Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.
Ultimately, after the former Manchester United man’s injury, it became a season of frustration for those at Ibrox, with Rangers failing to win any of their six Champions League group games and being pipped to both the league and Scottish League Cup by Old Firm rivals, Celtic.
But after some impressive early business from Rangers and Beale this summer, which shows no sign of stopping as the Gers have set their sights on Feyenoord forward Danilo, spirits are high on the Blue side of Glasgow and the return of Lawrence is only further adding fuel to that excitement.
In his last full season with Derby County, Lawrence probably had his best season in front of goal, who were in the midst of financial trouble and destined for League One, the Welshman captained Wayne Rooney’s Rams and managed to score 11 goals and five assists even in a struggling side.
Since taking over in Glasgow, Beale has utilised either a 4-3-3 or occasionally a 4-2-3-1 formation, a system that fits then skillset of Lawrence completely as the 29-year-old has experience playing across the entire frontline, or even as a genuine midfielder.
However, there is growing competition for places in attacking midfield. While Lawrence was out injured Todd Cantwell joined Beale’s ranks and hit the ground running in the SPL, Kieran Dowell has recently arrived from Norwich City and both Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers have been acquired with the aim of providing the goals to close the gap to Celtic.
Yet with another season of potential Champions League football ahead at Ibrox, Beale will need as much depth as possible in the coming campaign and if Lawrence can pick up from where he left off early on last season, it could go a long way to helping Rangers close that gap to Celtic.
In other Rangers news, one journalist expects three players to depart Ibrox this summer including a Finnish international