Rothwell is good enough for the Premier League according to Stuart Dallas and the fact he's joined Rangers is a sign of both teams' ambitions
06:00, 08 Jul 2025
Joe Rothwell, Lyall Cameron and Thelo Aasgaard are paraded to the fans at half time
Joe Rothwell, Lyall Cameron and Thelo Aasgaard are paraded to the fans at half time(Image: Kirk O'Rourke/Rangers FC/Shutterstock)
Stuart Dallas reckons it’s a sign of Leeds’ Premier League ambitions this season that his old club was prepared to let Joe Rothwell leave.
But he’s looking at Rangers’ capture of one of the Elland Road side's key men last term as a clear signal of the Ibrox outfit’s intent for the coming campaign too.
Former Elland Road hero Dallas is a huge fan of Russell Martin’s new midfield recruit.
He credits the 30-year-old with being among Daniel Farke’s standout performers last term as his Yorkshire raiders stormed their way to Championship victory and promotion back to England’s mega-rich top flight.
Dallas felt the ex-Blackburn ace could have played another important role for Leeds in among the big boys this season had they made last year’s loan switch from Bournemouth permanent.
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Farke had other plans, though, and is now chasing Hoffenheim’s £14million midfield man Anton Stach as he seeks to construct a team capable of surviving in the toughest league on earth.
But while Leeds decision not to pursue Rothwell has surprised Lillywhites legend Dallas, the boyhood Bluenose is delighted he’s now on board at Rangers as his childhood heroes look to pull up their own seat among the European elite in the Champions League.
Dallas told Record Sport: “I think it shows the ambition that Leeds have that they can let a player like Joe Rothwell leave and try to find someone better.
“Had Farke signed him, I felt it would have been a good addition for his team going back up to the Premier League. But I think it also shows the ambition of Rangers that they’ve gone and got a player who was arguably one of the best midfielders in the Championship last year.”
Rothwell was introduced to the Ibrox faithful at half-time of Sunday’s friendly draw with Club Brugge as he took a bow alongside fellow new recruits Thelo Aasgaard and Lyle Cameron.
But Dallas can’t wait to see how he fits into Martin’s new look Light Blues side.
Rothwell and his new team-mates are heading south to St George’s Park, the £80million training base used by Thomas Tuchel’s England side, for a week-long training camp.
Russell has lined up a closed-door clash against mystery opposition, meaning the Gers support will have to wait until the vital Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos on July 22 to get their first sight of Rothwell in a blue jersey.
But Dallas - a Championship winner with Leeds in 2020 - said: “I’m excited having seen what Joe did for Leeds last year.
“He came in on loan from Bournemouth but he didn't start the season in the team because Leeds had Ethen Ampadu and Ilia Gruev.
“They were a brilliant midfielder pair - but by chance they both got injured in the same week.
“You looked at Leeds and thought the one position they can't afford to lose is centre midfield because at that stage we didn’t know much about Ao Tanaka.
Stuart Dallas
“But as it goes, Joe and Tanaka were probably a better midfield partnership.
“I've obviously known Joe as a player, having come up against him many times.
“And when he started playing for Leeds, he was brilliant. He was so good throughout the rest of the season.
“He was exactly what Leeds needed. At times he'd run games in the Championship from midfield.
“Technically he's very good - very neat and tidy on the ball. He breaks up play really well. He's got a good range of passing.
“But for me, his main strength is he can carry the ball. At times when Leeds were playing against a low block, which obviously Rangers are going to come up against next season, they needed somebody to break a line and this is what Joe was actually really, really good at doing.
“He's not a creative No10, but he can certainly drive with the ball. That’s a big strength, as is his range of passing and set-piece delivery.
“He's a big character as well. He's quiet within his own right, but he’ll be a leader within the dressing room, which is exactly what Rangers need.
“They need leaders not just on the park, but off the park as well.
“He’s player who can run games himself at times. When a team needs a little bit of energy, he was able to inject that into the game. If I remember correctly, there was a big match away at Sheffield United when Leeds were struggling at 1-0 down.
“I was at the game covering it for Sky
“Daniel Farke introduced Joe just after half-time and you could just feel the game change.
“With his running power with the ball, he really grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck that night. That's what he is capable of.
"I look at the Rangers squad and I don't see another player really like that.
“Obviously they've got Nico Raskin in there and I think he would form a great partnership, the two of them.
“I think that's probably what Rangers have lacked, the ability to control games at times through their midfield.
“I think he's a great fit for them, to be honest.”
Four of Gers’ five summer signings have been recruited from south of Hadrian’s Wall.
But that has worried some fans still suffering flashbacks to the recruitment misadventures in England that have cost the club so dear in recent years.
Dallas, however, is confident that value for money can be found in the EFL.
He said: “I played the majority of my career in the EFL and I still think it can be a worthwhile market for clubs like Rangers.
“Certainly there is good talent available at the top end of the Championship, maybe even the lower end of the Premier League if possible as well.
“Rangers are in a position now, obviously, where they haven't been winning trophies.
“But the challenge of getting the club back to that level will still attract players, especially with the lure of European competition too.
“I think it shows what Joe's all about as well that he's willing to go up there.
“There's been interest elsewhere for him by all accounts, with clubs in Spain mentioned.
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“Joe played in the best team in the Championship last year and was a standout player. I think it makes perfect sense for Rangers to go for a player like him.”
ENDS