AliousTom Lawrence’s time at Rangers has been anything but smooth, with recurring injuries hampering his ability to establish himself at Ibrox. However, after enduring these setbacks, the forward is now experiencing a revival—highlighted by his long-awaited return to the Wales national team under new manager Craig Bellamy.
The 31-year-old had not featured for his country since March 2021, with his omission under former manager Rob Page raising questions. Ex-Derby County boss Wayne Rooney even hinted at a “bit of history” between Lawrence and Page, suggesting personal differences played a role in his exclusion. However, while his time away from the international scene was frustrating, injuries have been the biggest challenge of his Rangers career.
Since joining the Glasgow club on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, Lawrence has struggled with fitness issues, missing significant portions of last season and facing difficulties maintaining consistency this term. Despite these struggles, recent performances suggest he may finally be turning a corner.
His composure was on full display as he converted the decisive penalty in Rangers’ Europa League Round of 16 victory over Fenerbahçe. Days later, he made a key impact off the bench in Rangers’ thrilling 3-2 Old Firm triumph over Celtic at Parkhead. Reflecting on an eventful week, Lawrence remarked, “It’s not been a bad week, has it? A Europa League quarter-final against Bilbao coming up and an Old Firm win.”
On his return to the Wales squad, Lawrence admitted it felt natural to be back despite the long absence. “It doesn’t feel like I’ve been gone that long. Once you’re back in camp, everything feels familiar. There are a few younger faces now, and I’ve got a few more grey hairs, but the team has been fantastic.” He emphasized the need to adapt to Bellamy’s playing style and philosophy, adding, “It’s about taking everything in and learning how the manager wants us to play.”
Having matured over the past four years and gained valuable experience playing in high-pressure matches for Rangers, Lawrence hopes to contribute positively to Wales’ World Cup qualifying campaign. Their upcoming fixtures against Kazakhstan and North Macedonia will be his first chance to do so.
Reflecting on his time in the international wilderness, Lawrence acknowledged the impact of managerial decisions on his absence. “It all depends on who’s in charge. Page had his way of doing things, and I wasn’t part of that. Why? You’d have to ask him. I asked the same question and never got a real answer. I’m a straightforward guy—if someone isn’t honest with me, it’s hard to respect them fully.” He refrained from delving into specifics but admitted, “Let’s just say we didn’t see eye to eye on certain things.”
Now, under Bellamy’s leadership, Lawrence sees a new opportunity. He praised the former Liverpool and Manchester City forward for his communication and approach. “There were times I thought I’d never play for Wales again, but this manager has been brilliant since he came in. He called me as soon as he got the job and has kept in touch ever since. It was refreshing to hear his plans and philosophy.”
With his club and international careers both regaining momentum, Lawrence is determined to make the most of this fresh start, proving his worth for both Rangers and Wales.
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