Tom Lawrence endured the full range of emotions over 364 days of trials and tribulations. On Saturday, it was all forgotten about and all worth it in 17 minutes of pure relief.
It was in a 4-0 victory over Ross County on August 27 last year that Lawrence was injured. Almost a year to the day later, and against the same opposition, Lawrence finally returned to action as Rangers ran out 2-0 winners on Saturday.
To say that moment had been a long time coming for Lawrence is an understatement, but the 29-year-old is now ready to make up for the lost opportunities and kick-start a Rangers career that showed such signs of promise in his early weeks at Ibrox.
Goals against St Johnstone, PSV Eindhoven and Hibernian had established Lawrence as an integral part of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side. He would miss the tumultuous end to the Dutchman’s tenure, the arrival of Michael Beale and the ultimately futile silverware bids.
Much has changed during the long weeks and difficult months that Lawrence spent in the treatment rooms at Auchenhowie and then building himself back up on the training pitches. Through it all, he never gave up hope and supporters never doubted that they would see him back on the park.
“Very good,” Lawrence said with a grin when asked how he felt as he reflected on his first outing under Beale after replacing Todd Cantwell for the closing stages in Dingwall. “It’s a relief to be back on the pitch.
“It’s been a terrible year out, but it makes all the hard work to get back on the pitch worthwhile. That’s the main thing for me.
▶️ Tavernier’s incredible long range goal helped Rangers defeat Ross County 2-0 in Dingwall this afternoon ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/SoP3J9zuTc
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) August 26, 2023
“Obviously I got injured last year against Ross County. I then came back to train but got re-injured and it’s been a tough road since then.
“A few things didn’t go right during the rehab but look I’m healthy now and I’m in a very good place.
“No, I didn’t feel anxious. I think that comes with experience in the game.
“I feel stronger and my tests are stronger than ever so there’s no issue with an injury anymore.
“Today I’d say it was more relief. I was just so happy to be back playing.
“It’s so frustrating to be sitting there in the stands every game, wanting to be a part of it but being unable. So it was just a big relief and now I want to kick-on and hopefully repay the fans.”
The signing of Lawrence last summer excited the Ibrox support. His first nine outings justified the hype and his tenth appearance was warmly welcomed on an afternoon of plentiful positives for Rangers.
There have been many times over the last year where a player of his quality and character could have made a defining difference to Rangers. The past cannot be changed but the future will now be shaped by a midfielder that has all the attributes to be a stalwart of Beale’s side.
“100 percent,” he said when asked if he felt stronger now. “I’ve been through tough times in my life already and on the football side that’s probably been one of the toughest of my career.
“But this club has been great with me and helped me every step of the way. I’m looking forward to repaying them on the pitch now.
“I won’t go into individual names but as a collective effort everyone has been brilliant with me.
“No [I never doubted I would be back]. I’ve always been driven. That’s been me since I was little.
“I’ve always had that mentality that I can get to the best I can be. And I do think I can get back to my best performances.”
That fateful afternoon against the Staggies 12 months ago came just days after the finest evenings of Lawrence’s Rangers career thus far as Champions League qualification was secured in Holland.
The Welshman found the target in a 2-2 draw at Ibrox as Rangers gave themselves a chance heading into the second leg of their play-off with PSV Eindhoven. In another quirk of the story, history has repeated itself this term.
Lawrence was denied the chance to play at the highest level of the European game as he watched the Group A fixtures with Liverpool, Napoli and Ajax from the stands. He will be reduced to the role of observer once again on Wednesday but a lifetime ambition is within touching distance for a second time.
“It hurt,” Lawrence said. “It hurt a lot. But look, every game I want us to win no matter who is playing. That’s the main thing.
“As a collective squad in that dressing room, we’re all behind each other no matter who has got the jersey. That’s the way it should be.
“That night in Eindhoven was very special. It had been a long time since the club had been in the Champions League so to be involved that night was amazing.
“Obviously I didn’t plan what happened after that. I’d have loved to have been part of those Champions League games but it wasn’t to be.
“Hopefully they lads can get through to Wednesday. though and I can play a part in the games this time.
“The club is on the verge of it again. One big performance can take us back. We’ve done it once, so why not do it again?”
It has yet to be decided whether Lawrence will travel to Eindhoven to support his team-mates in person or watch on from home as Beale’s side look to finish what they started at Ibrox.
Victory at the Philips Stadion would be a remarkable feat for Rangers and take the momentum up a level once again ahead of the visit of Celtic this weekend.
The Champions League proved to be a weight around Van Bronckhorst’s neck last term. This time, it offers an opportunity that everyone at Ibrox is determined to make the most of.
“Maybe but that’s just football, it’s how it goes sometimes,” Lawrence said when asked if he deserved to play in the group stages after helping Rangers reach the Champions League last term.
“A lot of people have bad injuries but I’d love to play in the Champions League - I’m not going to hide that. But I’m pretty positive that the lads can do it on Wednesday.
“What I be like watching? Erm, hopefully we can get an early goal and I can be nice and relaxed!
“I’ll be honest, I’m not a good watcher. I just want to be out there helping the lads.
“Look, I’m always supportive of the lads. I’m 29 now, I’ve been through the young steps in my career and I know how much the support helps the lads.
“We play for Rangers and we want to win every game. That should be our thoughts first and foremost.
“Look I’m pretty positive the lads can do it on Wednesday night. PSV are a good team with a lot of quality.
“We knew that beforehand and it was the same as last year when they also had that quality. But I think we’ve got a lot of quality and that’s the main thing.”
🗣️ "We are under no illusions how difficult Wednesday is going to be, but we've got belief in the dressing room we have more than enough to go through!" John Souttar and Kemar Roofe spoke to Sky Sports after today's game ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/o8GjS5hjFf
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) August 26, 2023
Lawrence was not the only member of Beale’s squad to make an emotional return against the Staggies. In his first start in 16 months, Kemar Roofe showed why Beale has kept faith in him.
Lawrence and Roofe have been over the hard yards together throughout their respective rehabilitation programmes. Lawrence knows better than most just what Roofe’s goal would have meant as he set Rangers on their way to a straightforward victory that was capped with a stunning strike from captain James Tavernier.
“It’s great to see,” Lawrence said. “I’ve spent quite a bit of time in the gym with Kem over the last year and when you see him getting the rewards for that like he did on Saturday, it’s brilliant.
“He’s a bit loud for me! Nah he’s a great guy who works really hard to so it’s great to see him back.”
