sport news Rangers through to fifth round of Scottish Cup as Alex Lowry shines in 4-0 win ...

sport news Rangers through to fifth round of Scottish Cup as Alex Lowry shines in 4-0 win ...
sport news Rangers through to fifth round of Scottish Cup as Alex Lowry shines in 4-0 win ...

Alex Lowry may only be 18, but he already understands the importance of seizing your opportunity on a night such as this.

The day before, Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst had spoken glowingly of the midfielder’s ‘big talent’. While those words weren’t followed by a place in the starting line-up, Lowry didn’t have to wait long for his moment.

Ianis Hagi’s unfortunate early injury – the extent of which is not yet known - was the signal for him to warm up. With 15 minutes on the clock, he was on the pitch.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst saw his Rangers side progress to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup

Giovanni van Bronckhorst saw his Rangers side progress to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup

After 31 minutes, he was on the scoresheet. Zero time was wasted in making a very positive first impression.

A slender, elegant playmaker, Lowry’s debut wasn’t just marked by the composure of the finish that set Rangers on their way to the Scottish Cup fifth round. It was also coloured by the touch, movement and intelligence he exhibited.

True, the opposition sit sixth in League Two. Hence why a host of regulars were given the night off. But there was more than enough in this academy kid’s display to see why he has caught the eye of Van Bronckhorst. 

The Dutchman gave teenagers Alex Lowry and Leon King their senior debuts

The Dutchman gave teenagers Alex Lowry and Leon King their senior debuts

The Dutchman was thrilled by a display that deservedly bagged Lowry the sponsor’s man of the match award.

‘I’m really impressed with him,’ said Van Bronckhorst. ‘He has trained with us and you saw today what he can bring to the squad.

‘He’s still a young player with many things to improve but if you see this game he is at a god level already. I’m happy for him to make his debut and ready to develop him even further.’

Lowry more regularly shines for the Rangers B team in the Lowland League. Asked if he had done enough for further senior involvement, Van Bronckhorst continued: 

‘You want to give academy players a pathway to the first team. If I put him in, it’s because I have trust in him and his abilities. When he is performing like this, of course he makes his manager very proud.’

After full-time, Lowry was left sporting the biggest grin in Govan. ‘It’s a dream come true, I have been here since I was 10 and it’s and scoring out there was just a dream.

‘I never expected the opportunity tonight. As soon as Ianis went down I thought I might get something. When I got called over I was just buzzing.’

Even accounting for Lowry’s impressive introduction, it would clearly be a blow for Rangers to lose Hagi at a time when they are being impacted by international call-ups. Van Bronckhorst expects more news in the next 24 hours.

‘He’s okay, he has some problems so we have to wait until tomorrow to see what he actually has,’ said the Ibrox boss. ‘So far, I cannot say anything about his injury.’

Lowry was joined in the second half by another 18-year-old, Leon

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