RANGERS midfielder Joe Rothwell has subtly indicated that he thinks he’s being played out of position by boss Russell Martin.
Rothwell, a summer signin, from Bournemouth, has struggled to make an impact for the Gers despite initial hype surrounding his move north of the border.
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However, his ex Blackburn Rovers team-mate Barry Douglas feels he’s been played out of position, which is why fans are not seeing the best of him.
And Rothwell seemingly agrees with that assessment after liking the post on Instagram.
Speaking to Open Goal, Douglas said: “Like you mentioned Rothers I played with him at Blackburn, quickest guy on the planet with the ball, so good in the pockets.
“But now I see him at Rangers dropping deep and getting the ball and starting attacks – I don’t think that’s his best position.
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“He needs to be in the pockets receiving it from that kind of player.
“I think he can definitely do a job there, but to get the most effectiveness out of his game – I think you need him in the pockets.
“Would I look at him as a Rangers player? Yeah, he’s technically very good but it’s not just one player.
“I think that’s the problem you need good players around about you to get the best out of each other and right now I don’t think they’ve got that sync.”
Rothwell has been a bit-part player but when he is on the park he has been used in the six role.
That position could be filled by Nico Raskin but he’s still to return to the pitch after a fall-out with Martin.
Former Scotland international Craig Conway – another former team-mate of Rothwell at Blackburn between 2018 and 2019 agreed with Douglas.
He left a comment underneath post, saying: “I’ve played with Rothwell for two years and he’s best playing further forward and in fact can play out wide too.
“Is he good enough to play for Rangers? 100 per cent, just use him in the right position.”
Martin is under mounting pressure after the club’s worst start to a league campaign in almost 50 years.
But chairman Andrew Cavenagh gave him his backing ahead of the US supremo jetting in for the Premier Sports Cup clash against Hibs on Saturday.
Fans groups are set to protest before the game, demanding that Martin and CEO Patrick Stewart are removed from their positions.
Rothwell is a doubt for Saturday after limping off in their 2-0 defeat to Hearts last weekend.
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