Former Ballon D’Or winner Michael Owen was impressed by Tom Lawrence’s technique as the Rangers ace opened the scoring during Thursday’s 2-2 UEFA Europa League draw with Benfica in Lisbon.
The former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Newcastle and England striker knows a thing or two about sticking the ball in the back of the net.
So Michael Owen is well-placed to pass judgement the making and the taking of Rangers’ opening goal during Thursday’s four-goal thriller in the Portuguese capital, January signings Fabio Silva and Mohamed Diomande combining before Tom Lawrence thumped a fine header into the bottom corner.
That was only the Welshman’s fifth goal in Rangers colours.
But, after showcasing both his timing and his technique on one of Europe’s biggest stages, a modern-day striking icon could be forgiven for wondering why Lawrence is not a more regular fixture on the scoresheet.
Rangers cancel out Benfica in Europa League
“Lovely finish,” Owen says on TNT Sport, praising Rangers’ number ten for the way he ghosted into the box unmarked before putting his header where Benfica ‘keeper Anatoliy Trubin just could not reach.
“(He) gets up early here. A lot of the time when you get up in the air early you lose a lot of pace but, thankfully, it was precision. Right into the corner. (Lawrence) sets off early, jumps and heads it down.
“Lovely finish.”
Tom Lawrence shines in Lisbon
Lawrence, alongside the aforementioned Silva and Diomande, was one of Rangers’ stand-out performers on the night, Philippe Clement’s side going toe-to-toe with a bonafide continental giant and returning to Glasgow feeling as if they should have had more to show from their efforts, even if Jack Butland was still called upon to add to his collection of vital saves in Gers colours.
Angel di Maria’s penalty cancelled out Lawrence’s opener before Dujon Sterling – impressive again on the wing – gave Rangers the lead again on hte stroke of half-time.
A calamitous Connor Goldson own goal, however, means the two sides are all square ahead of next week’s second-leg clash at Ibrox.
