Mick McCarthy helped get his career back on track - now Andy Liddel expects Tom Lawrence to make a big impact at former rivals Rangers.
The former Celtic defender brought the Welsh international to Ipswich Town on loan for the 2016/17 Championship season, his fourth temporary spell away from Leicester City. He hit the ground running and ended that campaign with an impressive 11 goals and 11 assists, earning a move to Derby County, where he spent five years before joining Rangers this summer.
Lawrence's early impressions have got Ibrox fans excited ahead of this weekend's Premiership opener against Livingston and upcoming Champions League qualifiers, and Liddel isn't surprised. The ex-Scotland youth international says he saw enough in one year working with Lawrence at Ipswich in his role as a fitness coach to see big things awaited him.
He'd been at Manchester United as a youngster and that was apparent as Lawrence proceeded to score screamer after screamer in Tractor Boys colours.
READ MORE: How to watch Livingston v Rangers: TV channel, kick-off time, live stream details and team news
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Speaking exclusively to Glasgow Live Sport , the 49-year-old said: "Tom arrived on loan and I was the fitness coach, Mick McCarthy the manager. He was a lot younger and he just wanted to play.
"He was looking around for a loan and he got one.
"From the first minute he came in, you could see his quality. He found his feet, got playing. He had his own Goal of the Season competition.
"He was just outstanding for Ipswich. If you speak to players and staff who have worked and played for Mick McCarthy, he knows how to get the best out of people.
"He played him, showed him love. He put faith in him and told him he'd play every week. The rest was up to him and he flourished under that."
He added: "Some of the goals he scored... there was a goal at Preston and it was one of the best goals I have seen live, and I've seen a lot.
"He scored some amazing goals. Some places it just clicks. It got Tom's career back on track.
"Nobody can question Tom's ability as some of the goals were just masterful. He's self-motivated and very determined."
Liddel's father, former Hearts striker Gary Liddel, was a Scotsman and his own experience in the nation's youth ranks provided him a glimpse into Glasgow's fierce rivalry. It will be a far cry from the quiet nature of Ipswich and its surrounding areas, but the Wigan Athletic hero reckons a culture shock won't be a problem for Giovanni van Bronckhorst's new recruit
He added: "I got on really well with Tom, a typical northern lad with a great sense of humour. I have a lot of time for him. Rangers have themselves a great player.
"I know from my dad and myself playing for Scotland's U21s that people look down on Scottish football a bit. It's a great opportunity for him at a massive club.
"I know the passion. It takes a lot of people by surprise. You can't get two more different scenarios than Ipswich and Glasgow. That's 'sleepy Suffolk' and Glasgow isn't sleepy.
"Ipswich is a fantastic family place and Glasgow is a goldfish bowl. But it's a great one with two great clubs."
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