Tom Lawrence lifts lid on Rangers injury hell after ‘perfect’ start to Ibrox career as he reveals return target

 

The Wales international has been out of competitive action for almost a year after a serious knee injury.

Tom Lawrence has opened up on his injury torment as he targets a Rangers return to competitive first team action.

The 29-year-old was crocked almost a year ago and admitted his frustration after initially thinking he would only be out for around four months. Lawrence says the pain was made worse but he fact he had made a “perfect” start to his Ibrox career after arriving on a free transfer last summer following his departed from Derby County.

Wales International Lawrence netted three times, including in the Champions League playoff against PSV Eindhoven, in nine appearances for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Light Blues before he suffered a serious knee injury in a seemingly innocuous blow at the end of a home win over Ross County and eventually needed an operation. He returned for the pre-season friendly win over Hamburg but had a “hiccup” in training and is now looking to kick on and put it behind him.

He told Rangers TV: “It’s been really tough, one of the toughest I’ve had to face in my career. I’ve never been out that long. Tough in the sense the injury wasn’t actually an 11-month injury. It was supposed to heal naturally and it didn’t so it meant I needed an operation in the end which is always tough to take. You think you’ll be back in four months, then it’s six months and it ends up being 10, 11 months.

“It’s tough, not nice at all. You have many obstacles in that, a lot of frustration, but you have one aim and that’s to get back on that pitch. The staff have been brilliant, the whole club’s been great, the lads, the physio staff. Anything you need they’ve always been there. Obviously it doesn’t take the frustration away but they’re always there to support you.

“I had a little hiccup with a little challenge in training but I’m back training now and I’ve done this full week. I’m feeling alright and just trying to get the fitness back into me because I’ve been a long time out and I know it’s going to take a bit of time to get back up to speed.

“I missed a lot of football last year. When you miss that amount of games it’s tough so I just can’t wait to be back out there. It was a bit frustrating in pre-season because I wasn’t quite ready to join in with the group. It’s always good to get a full pre-season under your belt which I haven’t done so it’s difficult but you have to try and make the most of it now I’m back in training and try and get my fitness up.

 

“Some people could say it was a perfect start to my Rangers career. You’re there, so high, and it comes crashing down so quickly with injuries. I never though I’d be out for that long. I thought I’d play again that season but it didn’t happen unfortunately and I have to get back to that level. I know what it means to the fans here and the whole club. It’s massive every time you walk out at Ibrox Stadium and I can’t wait to do it again. And I’m sure that will be soon.

“The manager has brought in the players he wanted to. It’s always good to have competition. Everyone knows they have to be at their best otherwise you won’t get the shirt. It brings out the best in people and hopefully we can have a great season. My target is to play as many games as I can this season and help the team. Hopefully we can make the Champions League again and it’s a special season.”