Tom Lawrence sparks Rangers dressing room buzz as Kieran Dowell names the one phrase all his teammates are using

Rangers players will swarm round the Auchenhowie computer at around 11am this morning as the UEFA channel goes through the rigmarole of deciding their Champions League qualifying fate.

For Kieran Dowell it’ll mark another step towards realising a lifelong dream to be involved in Europe’s premier competition. The midfielder is one of seven new signings in the door at Ibrox so far who have got the laptop loyal bursting for the new campaign to begin. But it’s an old pal already in the building that Dowell reckons could hold the key to success as Michael Beale looks to hit return on a journey back to the group stage. Dowell spent a season with Tom Lawrence at Derby County four years ago and was bowled over by the Wales international’s ability to make football look easy.

Lawrence’s return from 11 months out injured got the biggest cheer of the afternoon as Rangers cruised to a 2-1 friendly win over Hamburg on Saturday - with Dowell himself impressing in a 34-minute run out. But it’s bigger European opposition that could lie in wait in today’s draw in Nyon - with the likes of Panathinaikos, Sturm Graz and Dnipro among the potential opponents for the tie in just over two weeks’ time.

Lawrence played a key role in Rangers reaching the group stage last season with a play-off goal against PSV Eindhoven. And while he could be struggling to be up to speed to start in two weeks’ time, Dowell reckons just having him fit and available again is a boost as they look for a repeat.

He said: “I was delighted to see Tom back. I’ve not been at the club for too long but I’ve already seen how hard he’s been working to get fit and ready for the season. It was a really nice moment and I’m made up for him.

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