After another underwhelming performance from Tom Lawrence, following a bright initial 20 before fading v Kyiv, there’s a real feeling the Wales playmaker isn’t going to ever hit the levels he needs to satisfy Rangers in that position.
Of course, his Ibrox career has been heavily disrupted by injury in itself, which is half the problem in fairness, but this current spell is probably the longest he’s gone without a knock since joining the club in 2022.
His overall record is… average. 44 appearances, 11 assists and goals.
It’s a pretty mediocre return, and he’s only amassed 2300 minutes in there as well. 26 starts.
In what amounts to his third season at Rangers, his impact this campaign has been underwhelming at best. 3 matches, one key pass. Tavernier managed 5 alone v Motherwell. Oh, and an assist.
Lawrence has never quite impacted matches at Rangers in the way his reputation suggested he would, or could, and our information was that he had been told he was free to find another club.
The problem is Rangers haven’t found a playmaker in this window, and aside Lawrence have no real options – Alex Lowry, Ianis Hagi and Kieran Dowell. Technically Todd Cantwell as well. It’s hardly an embarrassment of riches with half of them wanting to leave or the other half not being of the ‘right stuff’ for the club.
Yes, we’ve seen the social media hype over Hagi and his ‘home’ comment, with many drawing the conclusion that he’s changed his mind and wants to remain at Ibrox.
We’re less sure. If he does it’s because he’s having major trouble securing a move anywhere else.
But the fact is Rangers only have one man in Lawrence that Clement can actually draw upon at the moment, and that means either the club somehow seeks a new playmaker, or we’re going into the new season with Lawrence who not only doesn’t live up to the position, but also could get injured any second.
It’s bizarre to have five playmakers, but only one is actually usable, and that that one lacks any real impact in matches.
That’s about £55,000pw sitting on the bench or nowhere to be seen that could be much better used elsewhere.
It’s a problem position for sure.