Alex Lowry – Why Hearts Loan Move Makes Sense

Alex Lowry is set to move to Heart of Midlothian on a year long loan move, according to reports from Chris Jack at The Herald.

This is a good move for the Rangers youngster as I wanted to see him go to a ball dominant side and Hearts are exactly that being one of the better teams in the SPFL.

Rangers have a recall option on the youngster, which is good in case of an injury crisis or if the loan doesn’t work out one way or another.

Lowry needs first team football, and I wanted him to stay in the SPFL to do this. It’s a great move by Rangers placing the youngster in Hearts’ capable hands for the next year. He gets vital experience playing in the top league in Scotland, a percentage of his wage will be covered in the move, and he is playing for a team with an expectation on them to be the best of the rest in the league.

Hearts are a good ball playing side with ambition and Lowry will have to fight for his place when he seals his move to the Edinburgh side.

Young Alex is a great technician but requires a degree of experience to make it in the Rangers first team. Hearts will give him that along with a weight of expectation on him to perform. The move benefits Rangers in a sense Lowry is gaining first team football at the highest level that Scottish football has to offer.

There have been murmurs in recent times amongst the support that his attitude was being questioned. This loan move will help to fix any of that as he will be expected not only to perform and show his capabilities but work hard for the team. Another reason this move makes sense is that it lets the Rangers support watch Alex Lowry from afar to see what he is capable off.

Can this make-or-break Lowry’s Rangers career?

In my opinion if Lowry goes out on loan and makes a big impact at Hearts, it will fill the Rangers support with confidence that, yes, the boy does have the ability to be a first team performer at SPFL level for Rangers.

Hearts are also due to play in the UEFA Conference League again this season, so Lowry will gain valuable European football experience if Hearts can negotiate their way through the qualifiers.

Hearts came up against Conference league finalists Fiorentina in their group stage last season, so this is a competition with a high quality playing in it and a stage in which Lowry could flourish and gain vital experience.

In case you can’t tell, I’m very optimistic that this move will work out for all parties.

If Lowry fails to perform, then he has placed himself in the shop window for a move. I really can’t see him forcing his way into Michael Beale’s plans right away when he returns due to the quality we are playing in that position.

Rangers have raised the standard and its up to the youth players at the club to convince the manager that they can make the grade. Unfortunately for young Alex, this position is where the team holds its most quality with players like Todd Cantwell, Sam Lammers, Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence being able to fill the position.

Overall, I am convinced this move will benefit all parties, I’m hoping to see Alex make an impact on the league and score a few winners (hopefully against Celtic).

Being 20 years old, the youngster needs match experience. This is a chance for the Rangers youngster to showcase his talents in Scottish football, gain some valuable match experience and get some numbers in terms of goal contributions. If he can be a standout and grow in this Hearts team, then he can return to Rangers a man.