'Extremely Poor' - Pundit view: Rangers talent 'Paid the Price' for team failure as another completely frozen out

Alex Lowry appears to have born the brunt of Philippe Clement’s reaction to Rangers performing poorly in defeat to Birmingham City during preseason, says Derek Ferguson.

The homegrown attacker is one of three notable names training with the B Team, along with Todd Cantwell and Ianis Hagi, and hasn’t been given a look in by the Belgian for the start of the season.

Cantwell has asked to leave the club [Sky Sports, 25 July] and Hagi has a contract clause that entitles him to a pay rise if he plays more [Daily Record, 13 August], but there has been no such explanation for Lowry’s lack of opportunity in a first-team that is short of options.

Ferguson feels the 21-year-old has been ignored since his involvement in the 2-1 defeat at St Andrew’s last month, despite his qualities have been in evidence with a wondergoal for the B Team since.

He exclusively told Ibrox News: “To me it doesnae seem like he does feel part of it. He’s not been in the squads. I think he played in the preseason Birmingham game. 

“Everybody struggled in that game, Rangers were extremely poor, it wasn’t just Alex. But Alex Lowry seems to have paid the price.

“But he’s gone back into the B side, scored a couple of goals in the cup game against Clyde, so there is a player in there but you just wonder if the manager is going to give him that opportunity.”

Alex Lowry impresses for Rangers B Team alongside Ianis Hagi

The Light Blues were described as “pitiful” in defeat to the League One side back on 24 July [Rangers Review] in a game that was ultimately overshadowed by Clement revealing Cantwell’s transfer request after the game.

Connor Goldson’s move to Aris Limassol was also being finalised at the time, but after Lowry was absent from the subsequent 4-4 draw with Union Berlin he appears to have exited the manager’s thoughts entirely.

The 6-0 win over Ross County has lifted spirits somewhat but this is still a side that has struggled in the early-season running and Clement has still not got half of the transfer business done he would have liked.

Fans aren’t happy with Cantwell’s situation, and the contract clause seems an odd reason to ignore Hagi’s qualities, but the lack of explanation for Lowry not even getting on the bench when the likes of Scott Wright and Tom Lawrence have underwhelmed is also strange.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues want to sign an attacking star after his “brilliance” in Paris at the Olympics.

For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

The post 'Extremely Poor' - Pundit view: Rangers talent 'Paid the Price' for team failure as another completely frozen out appeared first on Ibrox News.