Ally McCoist admits Tom Lawrence Rangers surprise and Welshman's absence is difference between them and Celtic

Ally McCoist admits he's surprised at how much Rangers are missing Tom Lawrence.

The Welsh international arrived on a free transfer from Derby County in the summer and made an impressive impact during pre-season. He starred in a friendly win over West Ham United and netted a vital goal in the first leg of Gers' crucial Champions League playoff clash against PSV Eindhoven at Ibrox, although was given plenty of help from visiting keeper Walter Benitez.

Lawrence also netted in the Premiership win over St Johnstone and the 2-2 draw away to Hibs, which saw Gio van Bronckhorst side pay the price for two red cards as the Hibees struck deep into stoppage time to rescue a point against the nine men. But the forward hasn't featured since claiming an assist against Ross County at the end of August. He was injured in training the following week rather than suffering the effects that forced him off against the Staggies. It came as a bitter blow for the player, who will now miss Wales' 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar as a result.

There's been an energy missing from the Rangers team since, according to McCoist. He sees plenty of it in Ange Postecoglou's Celtic side, but admits the Ibrox outfit haven't looked as impressive in the wide areas since Lawrence was ruled out.

And the Light Blues legend was honest enough to admit that he didn't see Lawrence being such a key figure when he was initially signed. McCoist said: "There’s an energy level that Celtic posses which Rangers haven’t been matching, particularly in wide areas of the pitch. Celtic are really direct and positive and you can see that the other players in the squad are really benefiting from the directness of Celtic in the wide areas.

"I don’t think Rangers have that