Tom Lawrence was a surprise addition to the Rangers starting XI for the Scottish Premiership clash against Hearts.
The 31-year-old Welsh midfielder – whose time at Rangers has been plagued with injury – is making his first start for the Gers since November, where he went off injured against Motherwell.
The inclusion of Tom Lawrence has turned heads before kick-off, with several fans wondering why a player with no long-term future is being afforded such an important role in the team.
But Philippe Clement has bit back against those claims and insists Lawrence can play an influential role against Hearts in behind Rangers striker Hamza Igamane.
Philippe Clement explains Tom Lawrence call
”Tom is training now several weeks after he came back from injury,” Clement told RangersTV.
”He had some minutes before in the games and he can be important by moving well around Hamza, making good infiltrations at the right time.
”He was important like that in the beginning of the season also when he was playing well, scoring a lot of goals out of that role and making assists.
”So I expect that in the first half and then we will see physically how much he can cope with the rest of the game.
”So that we will see. It will not be for 90 minutes of course.”
Rangers look to experience for Hearts test
Tom Lawrence was actually being linked with a move out of Rangers this January but Philippe Clement will call on the midfielder at Tynecastle.
Rangers are a squad with a severe lack of experience and the ex-Derby County captain is amongst the most experienced players Clement has at his disposal.
Jack Butland and John Souttar also continue in the starting XI, as does James Tavernier, and Philippe Clement insists it’s vital to have these players in the team.
”It’s for every team important to have experience,” said Clement.
”We don’t have the most experienced team also compared with the past so it’s important to have these guys back in.”
