There is no doubt that the pair would have made a difference had they been available. Last year, they were plagued by injury issues.
The 50,000 Rangers supporters in the Ibrox stands and those watching on television immediately feared the worst as Tom Lawrence sat on the halfway line looking despondent, but Michael Beale remains optimistic in his post-game interview on Rangers TV.
The Wales international is working to regain his match fitness after over a year off the field.
After a sluggish beginning against Real Betis, he began to settle into the game and was beginning to control play until he had to leave injured.
Tom Lawrence almost started the scoring for Rangers with one of his signature long-range shots that skidded off the post, but it was only a sign that he wasn’t far away.
Update on Tom Lawrence’s injury as the Rangers wait
Following the game, Beale provided an update on the 29-year-old’s health:
“I’m hoping that it’s only a cramp since he wanted to go on.
Todd Cantwell, Nico Raskin, and Kieran Dowell’s injury prevented Tom Lawrence from starting for Rangers against Betis.
He will be rusty and vulnerable to soft tissue injuries due to a lack of competitive games, but the fact that he felt capable of continuing to play implies that Beale might be correct.
He almost defeated four opponents on his own in the first half to set up a 1v1 situation, and this kind of running ability along with a long-range shooting threat has been lacking.
Tom Lawrence should only need a spot on the bench if he isn’t fully healthy as Rangers try to keep up their strong start against Motherwell after the break.
Although every game is crucial, playing him just isn’t worth the risk.
