Being aware of the threat is one thing. Stopping the Rangers ace from doing what he does best, however, is an altogether different challenge.
The number ten spot in Philippe Clement’s XI has been a source of much debate in recent months.
From the exiling of Ianis Hagi and Todd Cantwell to the signing of Nedim Bajrami and a recent experiment with Mohamed Diomande in a more advanced role.
But, as Rangers bounced back from that Old Firm derby defeat to Celtic with a much-needed away win at Dundee United, Tom Lawrence went some way towards suggesting that the solution lies just beneath Clement’s nose.
Tom Lawrence fires Rangers to away win
Wearing number 11 but playing as a number ten, Lawrence scored for the second time in three Scottish Premiership games as he drove through the Tangerines backline and dinked a subtle finish over the onrushing goalkeeper.
That seventh minute winner, remarkably, was the first goal Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United team had conceded in three league matches.
“That is where the goal ultimately comes from; We were a little bit bare in the middle of the pitch and the frustrating thing is it actually comes from our throw-in,” Goodwin says, via PLZ Sports on YouTube.
“We need to make a tackle at some point, whether it’s a cynical foul or something to prevent Lawrence from entering the penalty box. That is the disappointing thing. When you play against Celtic or Rangers, we always speak about the first 15 minutes and staying in the game.
“I can’t have any complaints about the end result.”
Dundee United boss knew midfielder’s ‘threat’
Goodwin insists that the sight of Lawrence breaking into the box from deep came as no surprise.
The Dundee United boss knew beforehand that this is what the Welsh international was all about. But, as the home backline found themselves a little unprepared, Lawrence did not need asking twice as he skipped through a few desperate challenges and finished in style.
“We’ve got a great defensive record. Three clean sheets coming into the game. We know the threat that Rangers carry with Lawrence in the pocket,” adds the former St Mirren and Aberdeen boss.
“Rangers were the better team on the day. They created two or three very good goalscoring opportunities which, unfortunately, we were not able to do.”
Despite getting back to winning ways and producing a performance far more convincing than the scoreline would suggest, Rangers remain five points behind Celtic at the top of the table.
“Big result,” one-time Manchester United youngster Lawrence, who joined on a free transfer from Derby County in 2022, told Sky Sports.
“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.”
