Rangers Keen On Tying The Duo Down To Long-Term Contracts: Why They Must Get The Deals Done | OneFootball

If a recent report from the Daily Record is believed to be true, Rangers are keen on retaining the services of Jon McLaughlin and Alex Lowry for years to come. McLaughlin’s current deal will expire in the summer, but the Gers are close to agreeing on a new deal beyond the current campaign. However, the case of Lowry is not so straightforward amid interest from the English top flight.

McLaughlin joined Rangers on a Bosman back in June 2020. He was roped in as the understudy to Allan McGregor and has done well so far in a sporadic role between the sticks. McGregor, 40, might hang up the gloves by the end of this season and the former Hearts and Sunderland custodian might eventually replace him as the Light Blues ‘number 1’ in due course of time.

Lowry, on the other hand, is contracted until the summer of 2023. His impressive run for the reserves earned him an opportunity to train with the first-team stars and manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst handed the teenager a debut against Stirling Albion in the Scottish Cup 4th Round fixture. He made the chance count by breaking the deadlock soon after replacing Ianis Hagi and the gaffer might now hand him more first-team football in the coming days following a lively performance as a midfield attacker.

BALLYMENA, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 24: Zidane Iqbal (C) of Manchester United and Alex Lowry (L) of Rangers compete for the ball during the Super Cup NI football tournament junior section game between Manchester United and Rangers on July 24, 2018 in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images). The 4th Official uses images provided by the following image agency: Getty Images (https://www.gettyimages.de/) and Imago Images (https://www.imago-images.de/).

Why Rangers Must Tie Down Lowry To A Long-Term Contract

Having said that, his emergence has not gone unnoticed south of the border and the Premier League clubs are circling like vultures to tie him down in the long run. Rangers have produced many promising prospects through the academy ranks but could not retain most of them in recent years. They would only receive a minuscule development fee if the player decides to run down his current deal – a scenario the management must avoid given the ceiling of the 18-year-old prodigy.

Rangers lost Billy Gilmour to Chelsea prior to penning his first professional contract at his boyhood club, but, at the same time, made a significant financial profit from Nathan Patterson’s transfer to Everton earlier this window. They must convince Lowry to commit his future at Ibrox and the youngster, too, should accept the offer to flourish his skills alongside the senior stars.

Although the Light Blues have ample midfield options in their ranks, Lowry should have his fair share of chances because of his flair, flexibility and vision. The champions of Scotland do not have an outright ‘number 10’ in their squad and the young sensation holds all the attributes to rise and shine in the forthcoming future.