There comes a time in football when the future steps up to be the present.
In Alex Lowry, Rangers have a 19-year-old seemingly ready to graduate from prospect to product and in Michael Beale, a manager with a reputation for developing young players. After last season’s breakthrough year was only halted by injury this summer, Beale’s arrival and simultaneous mini pre-season while the World Cup plays out feels like a sliding door moment for Lowry.
It was nearly a year ago that Giovanni van Bronckhorst handed him a debut in the Scottish Cup tie with Stirling Albion. Then 18, the midfielder would open the scoring by driving forward into space, committing and beating his opponent before finishing with composure.
Most youth products struggle to replicate their levels when making the jump up to the first team but Lowry’s always looked and played with unfazed confidence that surely can’t hurt a creative midfielder. Whose responsibility it is to take ownership and take risks.
He is right-footed and when not handed a free central role, more comfortable shifting inside from the left. A look at his successful carry map from 3.4 90 minutes in the league last season demonstrates this trend, with the youngster predominantly receiving in the left half-space or wing and driving infield.
He’s not restricted to his right foot, however. If an opponent overcompensates to close off the inside route, Lowry can skip around them on the outside.
Look at this example from an early outing against Livingston. Given direct, power-dependent running is not his strongest attribute, Lowry resists attempting to outrun three on the outside after receiving the ball (red) and jinks inside (white).
He baits Stephane Omeonga forwards by putting the sole of his foot on the ball and then uses his opponent’s aggression against him by rolling it into space.
Now faced with two opponents, both of whom are showing Lowry down the line, he twice faints inside to leave them on their heels and delivers a cross that ought to have been converted.
Later in the same game, we again see this dilemma opponents face up against Lowry.
Odin Bailey shows the attacker down the line in a bid to keep him away from his stronger right side, but in doing so is easily bypassed. Despite a poor final ball from Lowry this again outlines his comfort driving on the outside and opponent’s difficulties when one-on-one against the youngster.
While seemingly slight, Lowry is a threat receiving the ball either with his back to an opponent or when facing them up. He has the power to push off inside, as demonstrated in a Youth League match with Seville below…
Notice here, like above, the attacker shows his opponent the ball, inviting them to try and win it back before taking it past them…
This is a common trend in his game. Creating space first and then quickly taking the ball into the area which the opponent has vacated.
This power to shift inside was also evidenced in a goal against Hearts on the final day of last season.
Here, Lowry’s marker is forced to stand him up, knowing there is danger in giving him a headstart on the outside. The midfielder uses this to his advantage by shifting inside and shooting with minimal backlift, disguising his intention and allowing him to squeeze the ball between two defenders.
The below pass from a recent Scotland U21 appearance demonstrated his combined threat when playing with his back to goal and an impressive, well-documented passing range. Aware of a marker’s proximity when receiving, Lowry drops his shoulders to lose the opponent before finding Ben Doak in behind.
His pass map from last season's league outings has limited entries due to just over three 90 minutes and still features a theme of verticality. Red equals success and yellow failure.
Lowry is a player who will try things and attempt risky passes with higher rewards. An 81 percent pass accuracy could be seen as a negative by some. However, not every player in a team can be responsible for keeping possession, some have to take ownership and make things happen. Arguably the current contingent requires more players with the quick decision-making, risk-taking ability and incision that their young academy product possesses.
Beale has already highlighted the attack as an area he feels can quickly improve under his management.
“I'm excited to get the attacking players to operate with my ideas because I think they are capable of doing more,” he said during a Blue Room unveiling.
Although his debut in the Ibrox dugout against Bayer Leverkusen will tell us more we can in anticipation make some predictions. His team will be compact, attacking players granted more positional freedom and the overall structure stronger than it has been.
In Lowry, Rangers have a player with an abundance of quality and the confidence to utilise it. One of Beale's objectives will surely be harnessing these attributes as he looks to revive Rangers' season.
READ MORE FROM THIS AUTHOR
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here