Joe Rothwell’s Rangers spell appears to have drawn to a close, with the midfielder now on the verge of a return to the English Championship.
Sources at Ibrox indicate Rothwell left the Rangers training centre today for the final time as a Rangers player, with a move south imminent.
While the destination has not yet been formally confirmed, Sheffield United are believed to be the most likely landing spot as Championship clubs firm up late-window midfield business.
The timing links closely to the recent Dan Neil transfer developments. With Neil’s move reshaping the Championship market, clubs previously monitoring the Sunderland midfielder have had to recalibrate including United.
Rothwell’s availability, experience in the division and profile have made him a natural alternative.
However, the Blades may not be able to sanction a permanent move this month - leaving the door open for fellow Championship outfit Charlton Athletic to make a move for the former Leeds United man.
Rothwell may still travel with the Rangers squad for Thursday evening’s UEFA Europa League fixture away to Porto.
However, the match is effectively a dead rubber with Rangers already eliminated, and he is not expected to play any further part in the Scottish Premiership campaign and will not be part of the squad that travels to Easter Road to face Hibernian this weekend.
The trip would be more procedural than competitive, ensuring squad numbers are covered while final paperwork is completed.
From Rangers perspective, the move is viewed as a tidy piece of squad management.
The club are believed to have recouped close to the six-figure fee paid to sign Rothwell from Bournemouth last summer, limiting financial downside on a player whose role had diminished since the sacking of Russell Martin in October.
His time at Ibrox never fully ignited. Brought in as a technically reliable midfield option, Rothwell struggled to establish rhythm amid injuries and changing tactical demands.
With Rangers prioritising the addition of a more physical, defensively authoritative number six this window, and having already secured the signing of Tochi Chukwueni from Sturm Graz, his pathway to regular minutes has narrowed significantly.
Danny Rohl’s midfield structure now leans toward control, athleticism and defensive balance. In that context, Rothwell became a peripheral figure, and a Championship return offers him the chance of regular football in a league suited to his attributes.
The deal also helps clear space within the squad as Rangers continue to fine-tune their midfield group ahead of the title run-in.
An official announcement is expected once final details are completed, but the direction is clear: Joe Rothwell’s Rangers career is over, and the Championship awaits once again.