As Tom Lawrence uploads an Instagram clip of himself returning from injury in Portugal, it’ll have the entire Rangers support uttering one of football’s biggest cliches.
After a bright start to life at Ibrox, the Welsh international has not been seen in a Rangers jersey since late August last year and will – if his recovery goes to plan – be like a new signing should the club can get him fit this summer.
And if you weren’t saying it after Tom Lawrence uploaded an Instagram video confirming his return to training, then we can guarantee you were thinking it. And that’s because it’s true.
The Welsh international, 29, has confirmed his return from the lengthy lay-off by claiming he got “a good week under his belt” at The Campus sports complex in Quinta do Lago, Portugal.
This comes after the attacker’s first season in Scottish football was devastated by injury.
The Instagram clip might’ve been small, and given little detail regarding where Tom Lawrence is in his return from injury, but you can be rest assured it’ll give Rangers fans real hope they can see more from who is an exciting player next season.
Instagram clip raises Tom Lawrence return hopes
As the Ibrox side’s season collapsed, an injury to Tom Lawrence certainly had a sizeable impact with the former Derby County captain signed to come in and be a top performer straight away.
With a cruciate ligament injury also devastating Ianis Hagi, Rangers really only had Malik Tillman in that attacking midfield berth and Rangers certainly felt the absence of Tom Lawrence.
As much was alluded to by Michael Beale late on in the season, with the Ibrox manager himself suggesting that, as cliche as it sounds, Lawrence’s return in the forthcoming campaign will indeed be like a new transfer.
“Tom started the season ever so well. He was important in the PSV games for example,” said Michael Beale.
“And then he got a horrific injury. He was on his way back from that and had some complications from that.
“I expect him to be back probably a couple of weeks into pre-season. Either at the same time as everybody else or a couple of weeks behind.
“Tom will be a really important player for us. He is a player I haven’t had and Gio (van Bronckhorst) didn’t have for a long period either. He has been lost.
“He came in as an important signing and experienced member of the squad. He didn’t come in to be a player for the future, he came to be a ‘now’ player.”
In total, Tom Lawrence made nine appearances for Rangers last season, scoring three goals, laying on two assists and leaving an early impression at Ibrox.
Rangers change direction with Waller appointment
The Instagram update from Tom Lawrence also comes as Rangers announce the return of former club doctor Mark Waller, who left to join Leicester City last summer.
Appointed to a special director of medical and performance role, the fact the club has entrusted Dr Waller with such responsibility shows the respect Rangers have for his insight and influence.
With that appointment – and with the likes of the Tom Lawrence Instagram clip – Rangers fans will be hoping that the injury problems which devastated the club’s season last year are firmly behind them.
That said, and whilst the club did have some tragic luck on the injury front last season, Rangers were clearly unprepared for such an eventuality and the squad was still severely lacking in several areas.
It’s put the emphasis on the transfer window this time around and let’s hope Tom Lawrence is one of several fresh options the club have in an attacking sense this season.
