Rangers and Giovanni van Bronckhorst have to find a way to get Alex Lowry involved in the first team squad, despite the obvious challenges ahead.
That was highlighted on Tuesday night at Ibrox when Tom Lawrence and Malik Tillman stepped up their impact in a blue shirt on the big stage when it mattered, to the delight of the Rangers support. That duo play across the ‘three’ behind the main striker, the same area where Lowry does the best of his work.
It has been a frustrating time for the 19-year old having had his pre-season disrupted due to an injury meaning that he wasn’t able to make an early claim to secure a first team spot in recent weeks.
Now, he is getting closer to a return with his involvement in the B team providing momentum with the aim of knocking on Gio’s door very soon. Lowry provided a timely reminder of his ability with a class free kick to leave the goalkeeper planted on the spot in the 0-1 victory over Spartans last night in the SPFL Trust Trophy.
🎯 @Alexlowry101 pic.twitter.com/wpcgDFuztA
— Rangers B & Academy (@RFC_Youth) August 10, 2022
The talented attacker has already shown that he is good enough to make an impact at first team level and he has to get minutes on the pitch if he is to develop further. The player himself has admitted that he faces a challenge but that is also the case for the manager and his staff as this prospect has to be carefully nurtured to ensure that Rangers reap the reward.
After the Spartans game, Lowry told Rangers TV:
“I can only try and get back fit and put a thought in his head that I am ready to go and play. You saw last night, Malik Tillman was unbelievable so I’ve got good competition and I’m looking forward to it.”
Could a short-term loan be the best option?
It would have to be at Premiership level or a close equivalent elsewhere but that would be a big call to make. An upside to that would be almost guaranteed regular game time at first team level but it can only be sanctioned with a view to his own pathway at Ibrox upon a return.
In the short-term, the League Cup game against Queen of the South on 30th August has to be the aim for Lowry to send out a message in the top team at Ibrox.
Brilliant prospect we can’tet this one slip through the net if he’s good enough he’s old enough Remember D J
I agree Geordie, so important for Rangers to get the best out of Lowry. DJ was well before my time but he was a trail blazer in terms of making an impact so young. If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.