Pundit: Tom Lawrence may soon regret Rangers move amid ‘£20m’ claim
Frank McAvennie has suggested Tom Lawrence could live to regret his move to Ibrox as many players simply cannot cope with the pressure that playing for Rangers brings.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Celtic striker suggested a lot of players “can’t handle” playing for the Scottish giants.
The Gers confirmed the signing of Lawrence, 28, on a free transfer from Derby County last Friday (8 July).
The Welsh international becomes Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s third summer signing.
Lawrence joins Antonio Colak from PAOK as another striking option for the Glasgow club.
When asked for his assessment of Rangers’ new recruits, McAvennie told Football Insider: “Rangers could spend £20million on a player, they’ve done it a few times, spent a lot of money and brought players in that haven’t hit the ground running.
“And Celtic have done it as well. Good players are great when they’re comfortable but they’re under pressure from the first day they walk into Ibrox or Celtic park because they’re demanded to win every game.
“A lot of players can’t handle it, a lot of good players come to Celtic and Rangers and can’t handle the pressure. Then they’ll go away and become a good player again.
“The manager will have a look at the players, he obviously fancies them. They’re at the right price, Lawrence was on a free.
“They might be good signings for Rangers, Lawrence has been about for a while, but can he come up to Scotland and do it? Only time will tell.“
In other news, McLeish was ‘wowed’ by Rangers as Tom Lawrence deal confirmed – ‘that’s what you call recruitment’.