How Alex Lowry performed in Rangers vs Celtic final

Bailey Rice was outstanding as he showed a maturity and passing range beyond his years, Zak Lovelace showed great character to respond from his red card in the Youth Cup final and there was the re-emergence of Alex Lowry. 

It’s been a difficult season for the prodigiously talented midfielder through injury and a heartbreaking personal loss. 

Lowry recently returned to fitness and he was afforded 75 minutes to impress against Celtic in front of the watchful eye of Michael Beale. 

With only a few games remaining in the season, it would be a surprise if the youngster wasn’t handed first-team minutes after showcasing his unquestionable technical ability in the B-team clash. 

Beale is a known admirer of the 19-year-old and it was noticeable that Rangers deployed a 4-3-1-2 formation - utilised by Beale in recent weeks. 

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Lowry started as the most advanced midfielder, behind the two split strikers, and he was the catalyst behind the majority of Rangers’ attacking threat in the first half.  

The role is perfectly suited to the creative midfielder’s skillset and he demonstrated his intelligence by floating into pockets of space to receive possession throughout the evening. 

Lowry’s capacity to play off both feet is a huge asset and he showed his ability on his weaker left on 10 minutes. 

He executed a slick pass into Robbie Ure before moving into the space to receive the ball back but his audacious chipped finish sailed narrowly over the bar. 

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Less than sixty seconds later, Lowry ghosted into another promising position after escaping the attention of his marker but his finish was tame. 

Zak Lovelace - who shone in the second half - escaped a Celtic defender on the left edge of the box and squared for Lowry, but he failed to make a good connection on the ball as it trickled through to the goalkeeper. 

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Lowry possesses a smooth ball-striking technique and he will have been disappointed not to have produced a more cultured finish - adding goals to his game will be a key ingredient to more regular first-team opportunities.

Despite an overwhelmingly positive display, Lowry was guilty of trying to be too clever when under pressure, culminating in losing possession on 28 minutes. He was also booked just before the break after dragging back his man following a lapse in concentration when he thought a free-kick had been awarded. 

Of all 22 players to start at Ibrox, Lowry had more senior experience than any of his peers and perhaps he should’ve asserted more dominance on proceedings at times. 

READ MORE: 'We had an 11 minute power cut' - David McCallum on Glasgow Cup defeat 

While it’s imperative to consider that he’s only recovering from injury, the Scotland youth international showed glimpses of promise rather than controlling the game - which he has the ability to do. 

It didn’t help that Rangers collapsed defensively during a lackadaisical 12-minute spell as Celtic raced to a three-goal lead. 

Minutes after firing a free-kick from a dangerous position straight into the wall, Lowry was calmness personified as he rolled home a penalty to reduce the deficit on 38 minutes.

But it was Lowry’s reaction - pointedly urging his teammates to keep going - that was equally as impressive as it showed a positive attitude. 

Another clever flick just before the interval almost released Arron Lyall but it was a first-half of promising signs.

Rangers improved drastically after the break and Lowry’s highlight of the second half arrived on 54 minutes.

He pinpointed space behind the Celtic midfielder before displaying a good burst of pace to drive forward. Lowry waited for Lovelace’s run before releasing a perfectly waited pass to release the attacker. 

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The attack temporarily broke down but the ball was recycled towards Lowry and he showed his vision to set up Ross McCausland for a shot with a one-touch pass. 

It was unsurprising that Lowry’s influence waned as the clock ticked on, given his lack of football recently, and he was replaced with 75 minutes on the clock. 

With a summer of change expected at Ibrox, Lowry’s short-term future will be interesting as he undoubtedly needs exposure to first-team football - and that could still be at Rangers, rather than a loan move.