GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: A general view during the pre-season friendly match between Rangers and Newcastle at Ibrox Stadium on July 18, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
After observing his first month in charge of the team, Kenny Miller thinks Philippe Clement is desperate for a goal-scoring midfielder who can outpace the striker.
The Rangers great has been rewatching games in order to hone his coaching skills, and he is already impressed with the tactical work that Clement is doing at Ibrox. And because Tom Lawrence already demonstrated the skills necessary to be the man behind the striker against Livingston, he thinks that keeping him healthy going forward can be the ideal answer to what the Belgian wants to accomplish.
The former captain of Derby has struggled with injuries during his time in Glasgow, but he has always looked strong on the pitch, and last week at the Tony Macaroni Arena, he was back in the starting lineup. Even though he was not the player who scored the first goal, he was a real threat all afternoon and was eventually replaced by Sam Lammers. He played a wonderful ball to Cyriel Dessers for the opening goal.
Miller also thinks that the Welshman has an advantage over Lammers in that he can exploit the space that Danilo creates behind him when the Brazilian pulls defenders around the pitch.
Miller wrote in his Sunday Mail column that “in football, it’s kind of a dying art.” a midfielder who desires to outpace his striker and sprint ahead to win the ball.
“Not many people are around anymore. Wee Colin Cameron was the best for Wolves when I played. The master was him. From the illustrious Ian Durrant to the recently departing Scotty Arfield, Rangers have always had them as well. However, I firmly believe that Philippe Clement wants it on his team right now. And he’s got the ideal fit in Tom Lawrence, who is back from injury just in time. I have spent the last few days sitting and rewatching every episode of Rangers.
“I do it because I’m a coach as well as a TV pundit, not just because of my job. I’m curious about the strategies used by any manager, but especially by Ibrox. Furthermore, Clement is adamant about getting off the ball. Looking back over the video, you can see that very clearly.
In their most recent Premiership match against Livingston, Lawrence made three runs past Danilo up front in the opening ten minutes of the game—making it his first start under the new manager. What Clement hopes to accomplish at Ibrox this season will largely depend on his willingness and desire to participate and score goals. Although I’ve always thought Lawrence was a good player, injuries have prevented us from seeing his best work at the Rangers. The fact that
“He either played off the side or as a No. 10 in the first few months of the previous season. He has a burning desire to participate in the game. It is difficult to describe. Watch him, though. Lawrence is always on the go and accessible. He consistently offers himself as a resource to his teammates.
“He is one of the few Rangers players who wants to be more than just a striker. In just 10 games during his Ibrox career, he had already scored four goals before suffering an injury last season. That’s more than Ryan Kent was receiving over the course of a season, with all due respect. Tom gives the team his all and is also capable of helping with goals.
“Behind the striker, he is a very versatile player who can fill any of those positions. It appears that Clement will stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation, which is perfect for Lawrence. Danilo’s movement in these games has been outstanding, looking back at them. It makes room for someone like Lawrence to take advantage of.
He’s alive and trying to get into space even when the Rangers don’t have the ball. It’s the most difficult thing for midfielders or defenders to follow. When the ball is at their feet, modern players cannot simply assume they are part of the play. When they don’t have it
that counts. In that sense, someone like Durrant was ahead of his time. It has to do with playing the game with an altruistic spirit. The player is aware of the advantages of possessing the ball and having the chance to score.
However, he also acknowledges the incalculable advantages for the team. Lawrence executes it masterfully. Additionally, he has an intense hunger for goals, which is crucial.
“He wants to create and score because, throughout his career, he has done so everywhere. And forward movement is unquestionably one of the smallest details that Clement has worked on with his team. I’ve been saying for the past three seasons that Rangers have been lacking in it because it challenges defenders and rearranges backlines.
