The future of Rangers first-teamer Tom Lawrence is uncertain, with the Welsh playmaker’s contract expiring amid yet another injury setback.
The 29-year-old offensive midfielder is in the final year of his three-year Rangers contract, which was inked when the ex-Manchester United player’s contract with Derby County expired.
Rangers pulled off a coup by signing the then-Rams captain on a free transfer, despite intense interest from a number of Premier League clubs.
But Tom Lawrence’s two and a half years at Ibrox have not gone as planned, with injury wreaking havoc on his career.
Now, as Philippe Clement promises to overhaul Rangers’ severely criticised contract regime, the future of the high-paid Ibrox senior seems uncertain.
Despite the fact that Rangers have the option of extending Lawrence’s contract for another year in Glasgow.
Tom Lawrence is out for ‘up to six weeks’.
Former Rangers chairman John Bennett lauded Tom Lawrence as a marquee signing under Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s management at Ibrox.
Despite an apparently promising start at Rangers, the Welsh international’s stay in Glasgow has been marred by a series of injuries.
Prior to surgery to address the persistent issue, Lawrence’s first season at Rangers was cut short by a devastating Achilles injury. The midfielder’s second season at Ibrox was severely hampered by a sluggish recovery.
After suffering an injury during the Premier Sports Cup triumph over Motherwell at Hampden, Philippe Clement has now announced that Lawrence might be sidelined for as long as six weeks.
As you witnessed, Tom (Lawrence) had an injury during the cup semifinal. Therefore, he will miss a few weeks of action,” Clement stated prior to the Europa League match against Olympiacos. Between four and six weeks.
Therefore, he won’t be there for a few weeks.
He has been significant. In addition to scoring a number of crucial goals this season, he also performed admirably defensively and in the play.
However, it provides opportunities for other players to demonstrate their abilities. That’s how football works.
Situation with Rangers’ contract “can never happen again.”
Given that Tom Lawrence is officially entering the last year of his contract, the scenario has cast serious doubt on the midfielder’s future at Rangers.
In the summer of 2022, Lawrence agreed to a three-year contract with Rangers that was worth an incredible £3.5 million (Salary Sport).
Rangers insiders Heart & Hand stated at the time that the midfield player also had a one-year contract option.
Rangers’ former contract and squad management philosophy, which concentrated on acquiring well-known players from the south at exorbitant salaries, has drawn open criticism from Philippe Clement.
Alfredo Morelos, Filip Helander, Ryan Kent, Borna Barisic, John Lundstram, Kemar Roofe, and even Connor Goldson are among the high-paid, excellent players who have had contracts with Rangers expire in recent seasons.
All of these players have departed for nothing, Goldson included.
The Gers have to offer Lawrence a longer-term contract or let the midfield player go in the summer since Rangers is approaching the transfer market in a more youthful manner.
The Belgian manager has previously stated that it “can never be allowed to happen again” to release players on a free.
“It’s crazy that five players have contracts expiring this season because you’re throwing away money,” Clement stated in January. “If the contract is terminated, they lose all of their worth.
“I am aware that we are not the world’s wealthiest club. We want to bring in transfers who can make an impact right away and who will also add value on the pitch over the next few years and fetch higher prices when sold.
“So there is a lot of work to be done in that way, and everyone in the club is working hard in that way to have a clear vision of how to bring money into the club by developing players while also getting results, such as winning trophies.”
“You don’t have the situation where you have players of value going free at the end of contract – it can never happen.”
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