Barry Ferguson has been effusive with praise for Rangers teen Alex Lowry in his column for the Daily Record, lauding the midfielder as the ‘real deal’ following his senior breakthrough.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst handed Lowry a surprise debut in the Ibrox natives’ Scottish Cup win over Stirling Albion last week. The 18-year-old took to first-team action like a duck to water and scored within 16-minutes of coming off the bench for the injured Ianis Hagi.
Lowry’s instant impact and Hagi’s absence convinced Van Bronckhorst to give the Gers gem his Premiership debut on Wednesday, too. But this time, he started the youngster in their midfield against Livingston beside Glen Kamara and January transfer James Sands.
Once again, Lowry was one of the stars of the show as Rangers maintained their lead atop the table. The teenager showed flashes of his creativity and a will to drive forward with the ball at his feet. His influence faded as the game wore on, but he is enjoying a positive start.
Barry Ferguson in awe of Rangers gem Alex Lowry
Lowry has left former Rangers midfielder Ferguson in awe of his early first-team efforts at Ibrox under Van Bronckhorst. The Alloa Athletic manager now feels he can offer the Gers a long-term answer in the engine room as Van Bronckhorst continues to stamp his mark.
Ferguson said: “[Amad] Diallo, it must be said, is a very decent start, but he’s not going to be the long-term answer. On the other hand, young Alex Lowry just might be after bursting into the first-team over the last week.
“I must say, I really like the look of this kid because he shows a craft and composure that is very unusual to find in an 18-year-old boy. He’s elegant with a football brain way advanced beyond his years and an ability to glide past opponents like they’re not even there.
“I find it so exciting to see a youngster earning himself an opportunity and I have no doubt – as long as he continues to work as hard as he obviously has done just to get to this stage – that he will go on to have a big future in the game.
“He certainly looks like the real deal to me and I love the fact that he wants to take the bull by the horns and accept the responsibility of making things happen.”
Lowry was central to Rangers’ best attacking moments in the first-half against Livingston in midweek. He almost earned a first assist after finding Scott Wright, but for Jack Fitzwater’s goal-line clearance. Livi really struggled to handle his driving runs in from wide positions.
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