The midfielder admits it was a toss up between a move to Rangers or signing for Bournemouth in 2022 as he explained his reasons
It would have felt like an impossible task for any young midfielder at Manchester United.
Somehow trying to force your way into a side that boasted talent like Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Juan Mata, to name a few.
So there was no shame when Joe Rothwell had to leave Old Trafford without being able to break into a star-studded Red Devils’ first-team.
Instead, after 15 years at the club having joined them at SIX, Rothwell vowed to fight his way back.
He knew he might never get the chance to join United again.
But the kid who had sat in the stands watching them compete in the Champions League made a promise to himself that he’d reach the big-time.
He achieved his goal of playing in the Premier League six years later when he signed for Bournemouth.
But now, after joining Rangers, Rothwell finally feels he’s back with the same type of stature to the one he left almost a decade ago.
The 30-year-old wants to hear the Champions League music blaring at Ibrox – only this time he’ll be playing in it instead of being a fan.
As he reflected on the journey he’s embarked on to arrive in Glasgow, Rothwell says the hurt of having to leave Manchester United was used as fuel to get back to where he wants to be.
He said: “It was brilliant at United.
“At that time, they were winning every week so it was a really enjoyable place to be and an incredible place to learn.
“I had some fantastic players around me at the time.
“But it got to the point where I felt it was the right time to go out and play men’s football.
“At the time, I had players like Scholes and Carrick to look up to.
“If I ever needed anything they were more than happy to lend a hand and have a chat with you.
“My plan was always to leave and make my way back to the Premier League – and thankfully I managed to do that.
“It’s always been a drive for me since leaving United to get back to that level and a similar sized club, definitely.
“Leaving wasn’t easy because I was there for 15 years, so it was tough.
“But I knew it was the right thing to do for my own career.
“A big drive was to play for a massive club again.
“Rangers is a club where I feel I can do that, as it’s huge.
“I went to Champions League games at United. Coming through the system, you get a season ticket so I very rarely missed a game.
“I went to nearly all of the big European games. You see the atmosphere and hear the music.
“Now, being able to stand there and hopefully hear it being played again – it would be a dream come true for me.”
If leaving United was a key moment in Rothwell’s career, so was his decision NOT to join Rangers in 2022.
The midfielder was faced with a dilemma and the choice of moving to Ibrox or signing for Bournemouth.
At that time, the lure of the Premier League was too strong.
But now, the midfielder – who was part of Leeds United’s promotion winning team last season – says he was never going to knock Gers back for a second time.
He said: “I had the opportunity to come here just before I signed for Bournemouth. It was a toss up between the two.
“I decided to go there at the time but thankfully the offer came in again this time and I jumped straight at it.
“Selfishly, when I left United as a kid the plan in my head was always to try and get back into the Premier League.
“Bournemouth gave me that opportunity and I couldn’t turn it down.
“This time there was interest from elsewhere but as soon as I knew Rangers came calling, I wanted to go back to that big club mentality.
“They fitted the bill for me and with the manager, Russell Martin, coming here, it was a no brainer.
“I had it in my mind that I passed up the opportunity to come here before.
“This time, I knew it was too good an opportunity to pass up.”
New Rangers boss Martin believes Rothwell will be a key player for the club this season as he looks to get them back competing for the title again.
His experience will also be crucial when it comes to their Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos which is just around the corner.
Rothwell admits Europe was a huge attraction – as was the manager’s clear instructions on his role within a new-look Gers side.
He’s only just in the door at Ibrox but already likes what he sees in fellow midfielders like Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande.
Rothwell said: “Europe was a big draw. Obviously as a kid you dream of playing European football.
“We’ve got a massive game coming up in a few weeks time so that’s our main focus at the minute and hopefully we can get through it.
“The fact I already know the manager’s philosophy can help in terms of him trying to implement that quickly here.
“I can try and help the lads because I understand how he wants to do things.
“He’s only worked with them for a couple of weeks. So if I can help on the pitch with stuff like that, I’m sure he’ll lean on that.
“He’s a possession based manager. From the outside it looks like you’re just playing pointless passes.
“But when you’re inside it, you understand that every pass you make is key.
“As long as we understand that as a team and the lads buy into it, they’ll fully enjoy the style.
“Before I came, he ran me through how he saw me playing in this side.
“To hear him telling me how he wanted me to play, made it an immediate yes from me to come here.
“Our midfield is really exciting. We’ve got a really young squad at the minute and maybe that’s why they wanted me to come in with a bit of experience.
“I’ve been really impressed by what I’ve seen so far and hopefully we can have a successful season.”
