Rangers star Tom Lawrence has all-but had his World Cup hopes ended by Wales boss Robert Page despite an impressive start to his Ibrox career.
The 28-year-old was an early standout for Gio van Bronckhorst this season before he sustained a knee injury during the 4-0 victory over Ross County, meaning he missed the derby day defeat to Celtic as well as the Champions League group stage matchday one loss to Dutch champions Ajax. The summer recruit from Derby looks unlikely to return to the first-team picture until after the international break for UEFA Nations League fixtures.
Lawrence has netted three goals so far and was a ket part in reaching the group stage through the playoff round, finding the net in the first leg with PSV Eindhoven. Despite being unable to make the squad for the final Wales' matches before the World Cup this winter, Page was quizzed about the chances of Lawrence making a late push for a Qatar 2022 call up.
Lawrence’s former Derby manager Wayne Rooney has also claimed in April that there was a "history" between the the player and Page that has led to a prolonged international absence for the Rangers' man. He has not earned a cap since March 2021, in the friendly clash with Mexico.
Speaking after announcing his latest squad, Page said: "There’s no history between me and Tom. Understandably he was disappointed that I didn’t take him to the Euros, I would have been disappointed as a player as well.
“I think he deserved his move to Rangers off the back of his performances at Derby and he’s a good player.
“But Brennan Johnson and Rubin Colwill have come into the squad, and we’ve got youngsters like Luke Harris that people are talking about. That’s just football.”
READ NEXT
