Will Rangers still “pull the trigger” on Joe Rothwell?
Soccer Football - Championship - Blackburn Rovers v Luton Town - Ewood Park, Blackburn, Britain - September 11, 2021 Luton Town's Reece Burke in action with Blackburn Rovers' Joe Rothwell Action Images/John Clifton EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Just a few months ago, Rangers were said to be frontrunners to securing the signing of Blackburn Rovers midfielder Joe Rothwell.
This would be a free transfer with the 27-year old’s current contract set to expire at the end of the season and no immediate sign of Tony Mowbray securing the player’s future.
The Scottish champions were said to be ‘leading the race’ by one outlet, whilst Rangers TV regular contributor Alan Hutton was quoted back in October as stating:
“He was obviously one of the standout performers last season at Blackburn.”
“It doesn’t surprise me that they’re keeping an eye on him. They could go and try and pull the trigger early doors before January to try and get something over the line before any other team comes in…”
Choice
Obviously a lot has changed since the Autumn with Steven Gerrard’s departure signalling the arrival of the new regime led by Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
What hasn’t changed is the general remit of Ross Wilson and the scouting staff at Rangers. Rothwell’s name will still be on the list and he is still within reach, especially given his strong form this season – the Englishman has enjoyed three goals and seven assists with Rovers in a healthy second place position to target promotion to the Premier League.
That is a potential game changer as far as Rothwell’s future is concerned.
Recently, Rangers were said to be joined by Bournemouth in tracking the player with a view to a January move – according to Football Insider.
A combination of Blackburn’s form and the current state of play at Ibrox under GvB would suggest that this potential move is on the back burner for now with other targets taking priority for Rangers.