There is never an ideal moments to pick up an injury, of course, but the problem which had kept one Rangers player on the sidelines since October felt particularly cruel in it’s timing.
Like Rabbi Matondo – the Rangers winger consigned to months on the treatment table shortly after scoring twice and providing two assists in a 6-0 obliteration of Ross County – Tom Lawrence’s lengthy spell out of action brought a swift, brutal end to a fine start of his own.
Lawrence had five goals and two assists to his name before exiting proceedings in that 2-1 defeat by Aberdeen four months ago.
Now, with Turkey calling for another Rangers player – Besiktas are eyeing the Wales international months after Trabzonspor snapped up John Lundstram and Borna Barisic – one wonders if Lawrence has featured in that famous blue shirt for the last time.
Promotion-chasing Burnley and Sheffield United are reportedly keen to lure Lawrence south of the border too.
The prospect of Premier League football will surely appeal. Especially with the 31-year-old’s contract expiring this summer and Nedim Bajrami making the number ten role his own in Lawrence’s absence.
Burnley move talked up for Rangers midfielder Tom Lawrence
“I saw a lot of Tom Lawrence when he was at Derby and he’s a good player,” former EFL stalwart Clinton Morrison tells Football League World. “It hasn’t really worked out [at Rangers] through injuries and not getting enough game time.”
Morrison’s assessment is perhaps a little unfair.
Lawrence may not have featured nearly as much as he’d have liked – 56 games across two-and-a-half years – but, when fully fit, the Manchester United academy graduate has often left a rather positive impression on the Rangers support.
Burnley, the lowest goalscorers in the Championship’s top-five teams, could certainly benefit from Lawrence’s trademark long-range shooting and his guile between the lines.
Scott Parker’s side are also eyeing one-time Rangers target Morgan Whittaker. But with the Plymouth Argyle craftsman badly out of form, there is an argument to be made that Lawrence would be a better, if more high-risk, addition.
Scott Parker’s Burnley eye ex-Ibrox target Morgan Whittaker too
“I think if a player like that becomes available, you definitely have a look at him for your squad,” adds Morrison, the well-travelled striker who turned out for the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Crystal Palace, Birmingham City and Coventry.
“I don’t think it would be a bad signing. Maybe if they can’t get Whittaker [Burnley could go for Lawrence]. It would be a good signing.
“If Lawrence is available, you don’t turn your nose up at that.”
Rangers lost a host of experienced players on free-transfers in the last two summers. Ryan Jack, Ryan Kent, Filip Helander, Allan McGregor and Alfredo Morelos all departed Ibrox for nothing, alongside the aforementioned Lundstram and Barisic.
With Tom Lawrence reportedly taking home in excess of £20,000-a-week at Rangers, Philippe Clement’s side may have reservations about handing over fresh terms to a 30-plus, injury-prone midfielder.
Rabbi Matondo looked destined to join Coventry, meanwhile, only for talks to stall.
