In what is going to be a title race that looks like it is going to go to the wire, Rangers will need players like Tom Lawrence to stand up and be counted.
The 30-year old Wales international hasn’t been without his injury problems in the last 18-months but his return to the squad under Gers boss Philippe Clement has been a welcome one.
The Rangers manager needs as many goalscorers as possible given the importance of every fixture and it felt like it was only a matter of time before it would be Tom Lawrence’s turn to be a match winner.
Rangers have matchwinner substitute in Tom Lawrence
Sofascore rated Lawrence at 7.4, second only to James Tavernier.
Having had a hand in both goals, the Rangers News rating of 8/10 is entirely justified though.
His driving run from midfield drew the foul that led to Tavernier’s stunning equaliser.
Next, he won another free-kick after switching on to Cyriel Dessers quick throw in before taking it quickly to Oscar Cortes.
It would have been easy to stop and admire his good work, instead, he continued his run into the box before firing a well-placed and well-struck effort low into the bottom corner.
The technique was perfect.
In recent weeks, Tom Lawrence, with 23 caps for Wales, has had a goal disallowed and goalward shots blocked.
There wasn’t much more that he could have done to score, but his persistence paid off handsomely at Rugby Park.
Todd Cantwell was on-fire before he suffered a short-term injury, however, Lawrence has the quality needed to fill the gap.
What we need, is for him to stay fit.
Against Kilmarnock, Lawrence was a great fit stylistically.
He’s not a typical creative or attacking player.
He’s aggressive and hard working, he’s also a leader.
In the second half, it was no coincidence that we started to play better when we got Lawrence more involved.
It’s a short turnaround to Motherwell at Ibrox so he might have to do with a place on the bench but, with every passing week, Rangers fans know that Tom Lawrence is getting closer to being the type of player who can be a talisman for Philippe Clement.
