On his day Tom Lawrence is probably one of the most technically gifted players both Rangers and Wales have in their arsenal.
A match-winner and on-field leader who takes responsibility to sew midfield and attack together, Lawrence is an effective player who can shoot and pass from range and someone who is guaranteed to give 100% in every, single match.
Why wouldn’t Wales want him involved?
Injury has disrupted the now 30-year-old’s time in Glasgow but as the problems begin to settle, Tom Lawrence is emerging as a key player for Rangers.
But the same cannot be said for the Welsh international team, for whom Lawrence has not received a call-up since March 2021.
Wales boss Rob Page has “history” with Tom Lawrence
Despite his clear talent, the attacking midfielder was overlooked in the nation’s most recent squad and if former manager Wayne Rooney is right, a Wales call-up looks some way off for the Rangers star.
That’s because Wales boss Rob Page has just been given a vote of confidence from Cardiff after a heartbreaking penalty defeat to Poland resulted in a failure to reach Euro 2024.
According the Welsh FA’s president Steve Williams, the under-pressure Rob Page will be given until after World Cup 2026 qualifying to prove his worth as Welsh boss.
Why is this a problem for Wales hopeful Tom Lawrence? Well, that’s where Wayne Rooney comes in.
Back in 2022, the former Rams boss suggested that the situation between Page and Lawrence is personal and it’s preventing the player being called up to the national side.
“Tom Lawrence wants to play for Wales, but it’s a personal choice from the Wales manager,” said Rooney.
“I think he managed Tom at U21 level and maybe there’s a bit of history. As manager, you need to get over that.
“Wales are in a position where they are trying to qualify for the World Cup. They need their best players and Tom is certainly one of Wales’ best players.”
In the interest of balance, Page has refuted those suggestions from Wayne Rooney and has explained “that’s football” when it comes to not calling the Rangers playmaker up to his squad.
Welsh loss is Rangers’ gain
As Rangers look to get Tom Lawrence back to full fitness, from an Ibrox perspective it’s certainly not a bad thing Wales and Rob Page insist on overlooking him.
Whilst Rabbi Matondo was off on Welsh international duties during the break, Lawrence has been at the Rangers Training Centre building his fitness for the international run-in.
But it is quite something to suggest that the manager of the Welsh is putting a personal vendetta in front of what is best for the country.
If those claims about the Wales manager and Tom Lawrence are correct, then we’re not surprised so many Welsh fans are calling for Page’s head.
If excluding players based on personal issues is at the centre of Rob Page’s thinking, then we don’t suspect the manager will be leading Wales to the USA, Canada, or Mexico either.
