Joe Rothwell’s likely permanent move to Sheffield United ahead of tonight’s 7pm English transfer deadline marks the final conclusion of one of Rangers most frustrating signings in recent memory.
What was meant to be a stabilising midfield acquisition has instead become an emblem of a campaign that has lacked consistency, clarity and cohesion.
When Rothwell arrived at Ibrox last summer, there was genuine reason for optimism. A seasoned midfielder with English Championship experience, he was expected to bolster a central area that had lacked both guile and grit.
That optimism was compounded by his immediate connection with the fanbase, he spoke with confidence and seemed to possess the technical instincts that Rangers had been missing.
But optimism quickly dwindled. Rothwell’s tenure has been defined less by influence on the pitch and more by recurring injury issues and spells on the sidelines.
Early muscle problems disrupted his rhythm, and in a season of managerial instability, he never really found a foothold. Under former boss Russell Martin, Rothwell’s role was more prominent but still found himself in and out of the team; under Danny Rohl, he has dropped even further down the pecking order.
Tactical shifts and personnel preferences have consistently worked against him, leaving the midfielder struggling to justify a consistent starting berth.
The statistics tell a stark story. Minutes have been sparse and impact moments rarer still. In a midfield that has already struggled to impose itself in big games, Rothwell’s unavailability and lack of influence have only exacerbated existing issues. For a club chasing a Scottish Premiership and Cup double, that is an uncomfortable truth.
Enter Sheffield United. According to reports from the Sheffield Star’s Danny Hall, the Blades have beaten off interest from the likes of Charlton Athletic, Derby County and a well-funded Wrexham to land the former Leeds man.
Chris Wilder, a manager known for getting the best out of combative, technically adept midfielders, is said to be a fan. Reuniting Rothwell with former Leeds United teammate Patrick Bamford at Bramall Lane could well offer the Englishman a fresh start in an environment more suited to his attributes.
From Rangers perspective, the move is pragmatic. The club offloads a player whose injuries and form have limited his contribution, freeing up wages and a squad spot for more reliable options. Shedding a peripheral figure like Rothwell at least prevents further stagnation.
Despite a medical usually being a formality for a move, Rothwell’s fitness issues this season could still cause a late stumbling block for this move.
The player has not trained with Rangers since the start of last week and was absent from the Gers squads for Porto and Hibernian ahead of this move.