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<\/p>\nThe 31-year-old was sent off just 35 minutes into his Sheffield United debut for a wild challenge on Alan Browne<\/p>\n
06:53, 10 Feb 2026Updated 08:58, 10 Feb 2026<\/p>\n
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Joe Rothwell <\/p>\n
Chris Wilder believes Joe Rothwell<\/a>‘s tortuous stint at Rangers played a factor in his straight red card just 35 minutes into his nightmare Sheffield United debut.<\/p>\n The 31-year-old was given his marching orders for a wild challenge on Middlesbrough’s Alan Browne with the Blades chasing the game at 2-1 down.<\/p>\n Rothwell appeared shocked at the instant dismissal, however, that feeling wasn’t shared with onlookers with BBC Tees branding it a “disgraceful challenge.”<\/p>\n The nightmare start for the former Bournemouth and Leeds man comes fresh of an ill-fated stint in Ibrox where he appeared incapable of coping with both the pace and demands of Ibrox life.<\/p>\n Rothwell was a summer signing for doomed Rangers boss Russell Martin<\/a> and Wilder reckons the emotions during his nightmare stint in Glasgow came rushing out during a moment of madness on his Sheffield United<\/a> bow.<\/p>\n Speaking to SUTV, Wilder said: “Joe is extremely disappointed with himself, maybe a touch of frustration of a time away not playing first team football. It’s a mistimed tackle and I’ve got no arguments about the decision made by the ref.”<\/p>\n Rothwell will now serve a minimum three-game ban with EFL chiefs able to weigh up to see whether any further punishment should be added.<\/p>\n Follow Record Sport <\/strong>on Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.<\/p>\n You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers<\/a> and Celtic<\/a> pages, and sign up to our newsletters<\/a> to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We’re also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here<\/a> and our Celtic community here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tune in to Hotline Live<\/a> every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On<\/a>, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.<\/strong><\/p>\n