Tom Lawrence’s Rangers career has been anything but straightforward, with persistent injury setbacks disrupting his time at Ibrox.
But after battling through those challenges, the forward is enjoying a resurgence - capped off by a return to the Wales squad under new boss Craig Bellamy.
The 31-year-old has not featured for his country since March 2021, with his absence under former manager Rob Page raising eyebrows, particularly after ex-Derby County boss Wayne Rooney hinted at a “bit of history” between the pair.
However, while his Wales exile was frustrating, it was injury rather than international politics that has defined his time at Rangers.
Since arriving in Glasgow on a free transfer during the summer of 2022, Lawrence has endured a torrid run with fitness, missing large chunks of last season and struggling for consistency this term.
So, could the ex-Manchester United youngster finally rediscover his best form? Lawrence held his nerve to slot home the decisive penalty in Rangers’ Europa League Round of 16 triumph over Fenerbahce before making an impact off the bench in Sunday’s dramatic 3-2 Old Firm victory over Celtic at Parkhead.
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“It’s not been a bad week, has it?” Lawrence reflected. “Quarter-finals next against Bilbao in the Europa League and an Old Firm win on Sunday.
“It feels like I’ve not been gone [from the national team] that long. When you’re back here everyone’s together, so it feels good.
“There’s a few younger ones than when I was last here, I’ve got a few more grey hairs, new staff, new manager. I’ve been watching the games and they’ve been brilliant so far.
“It’s just adapting now to how the manager wants me to play and the team to play, it’s just taking everything in.
“I’m four years older since I was last here. I’ve played in a lot of big games since I’ve been at Rangers and that’s only going to help you. Hopefully, I can help the team here.”
The Wrexham-born attacker’s return to the Wales fold marks a fresh start at international level. He is now set to play a role in their World Cup qualifying campaign, with games against Kazakhstan and North Macedonia on the horizon.
Looking back on his spell in the international wilderness, Lawrence admitted: “Yeah, I mean it all depends what manager was in charge. He had his own way of doing things and I wasn’t to be a part of that. For what reason, you’d have to ask him.
“I asked that same question, he couldn’t give me it. I’m a pretty simple guy. When someone’s not honest with me, then I don’t have all the respect in the world for them.
“There were questions I asked that weren’t answered and that was the way it went. I don’t think I need to go into it completely. Let’s just say we didn’t see eye to eye in certain things.”
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On working under Bellamy, who made a name for himself at Liverpool and Manchester City before coaching stints with Anderlecht and Burnley, Lawrence added: "Sometimes I thought I wouldn't play for Wales again, but this manager has been brilliant since he came in.
"He rang me when he first got the job and he's kept in contact ever since. It was refreshing to hear him speak about how he wants to play and his philosophy. It was good on that front."
