Isaac Schmidt and Largie Ramazani look set to become the latest players to leave Leeds United this summer after indifferent 2024-25 campaigns, following plenty of players out of Elland Road.
Rewind three months, Leeds fans were urging their club to sign 30-year-old Rothwell on a permanent basis from Bournemouth after laying on some key assists during the Championship title triumph.
But Rothwell returned to Bournemouth. The 49ers did not want their association with Rothwell to come to an end however, and chose to bring the former Blackburn and Man United player to new side Rangers.
A nominal fee paid by Rangers that saw The Gers form a reunion between manager Russell Martin and his former Southampton midfielder Rothwell. The classy midfielder has since played all nine Rangers games.
Cammy Bell critical of Joe Rothwell’s start to life at Rangers
Rangers fans and Stuart Dallas heaped praise on Rothwell after his home debut, a 2-0 win against Greek side Panathinaikos. Among his nine appearances, set-piece specialist Rothwell has laid on two assists.
But coinciding with Rangers’ dismal start to the Premiership season – in which Rangers have drawn all three league games, 1-1 – Rothwell’s form has dipped with The Gers already six points behind Celtic.
Speaking on The Monday Night Club, former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell says Rothwell has left him feeling underwhelmed: “Another thing that hasn’t worked in his {Martin’s] favour are his signings.
“Joe Rothwell, I thought he’d do really well, he’s really struggled. The pressure looks like it is getting to him. He’s hasn’t lived up to what I expected him to come and do, because of his pedigree down south.”
Joe Rothwell shines in a good side, but struggles in a poor side
The thinking was right. Rangers dominate matches domestically and are tasked with breaking teams down. So, Rothwell’s ability to create something out of nothing and produce a bit of magic should be key.
But Rangers have made hard work of it this season. Games they should be dominating, they are being outmuscled and made to work for even a point. The Gers seem closer to the rest of the pack, than Celtic.
Rothwell starred for Leeds because Daniel Farke’s side dominated and controlled matches. But there is a reason why Farke didn’t play Rothwell in away games often, or games that were deemed more equal.
The 0-0 draw at Burnley, is an example. Farke used Ilia Gruev instead of Rothwell and his form at Rangers is now making that clear, Rothwell shines in a side that dominates and controls, not one that has to fight.
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