Wayne Rooney is on record in terms of a glowing endorsement for Rangers latest signing, Tom Lawrence.
The Welshman makes a fresh start at Ibrox, seeking success and stability after a problematic time off the pitch at Derby, which coincided with arguably the best performances of his career, on it.
With the long drawn-out financial troubles at Pride Park coming to end recently, thanks to David Clowes takeover, it is very much a new beginning. The club will be rebuilding from England’s third tier following their relegation to League 1 but they will be doing it without the departed Rooney, who worked relative miracles in his time as manager, as well as previous captain, Lawrence.
The duo were very much figureheads whilst navigating troubled waters last season and the Man United legend was happy to put his skipper on the pedestal. Rooney was speaking to Derby’s in-house media team after the Rams 3-1 home win over Hull City, back in February:
“Tom has been excellent and he really has led by example on the pitch.”
“I know some people may have looked at the decision I made in the summer, when I made him captain, and thought it was a bit controversial – but I knew it was in Tom.”
“I have known him for a long time, since he was a young lad at Manchester United, and I know how to get the best out of him.”
“I think we are seeing his quality from an attacking point of view, but what sometimes goes unnoticed is the work rate and effort he is putting in. Tom is playing almost every minute of every game and he’s a credit to himself.”
Potential
Lawrence will be 29 in January, he is a footballer who should be approaching his prime and that can be to the benefit of all of us at Ibrox.
He will come with a hunger and a determination to succeed and no doubt inspired by the likes of John Lundstram, making the move north from England and thriving, as well as seeing countryman Aaron Ramsey, as the Gers flourished in Europe last season.
The demand and intensity to win in Glasgow is intoxicating – some players falter but others buzz on that pressure.
Lawrence knows where the net is, he likes a shot and he brings a versatility across the front line. It has the makings of a exciting arrival and now it is up to the player to rise to the challenge.