Rangers face a constant battle trying to persuade players to move from England to take in the delights of the SPFL.
Playing the same team four, five or six times a season isn’t for everyone but then Ibrox and the pressure that comes with it isn’t for everyone.
Sometimes players get the chance to join Rangers and see the bright lights of the Premier League as a more glitzy alternative, for some, it doesn’t quite work out that way.
For years, Rangers were crying out for a goalscoring midfielder in their squad, capable of playing as a number eight.
One name that was mentioned was Joe Rothwell.
Joe Rothwell’s post Rangers rejection hasn’t gone to plan
Starring for Blackburn Rovers at the time, the powerhouse midfielder got into double figures in the Championship with Rangers named as “almost certain” to land the then 27-year old.
Instead, Rothwell chose Bournemouth where things haven’t quite gone to plan.
He’s made 35 appearances for the Cherries but has just one assist to his name, compared to his recent loan spell at Southampton where he scored four times and got one assist.
Speaking at the end of last season, Rothwell, despite impressing, was unsure where his future lay:
“I’d say it was up in the air. Obviously, I have got to go back to Bournemouth. I will have conversations with them, see where they see me and just take it from there really.
“But I am not thinking about that. Obviously, I have just got promoted so it is time to enjoy it now for the next couple of days and then get away with the family, relax and come back ready to go.
“I’ve kind of just gone on with what I needed to do, in terms of being a Southampton player, so no immediate conversations.
“Now, the season is over and thankfully it has ended the way we wanted and I can get away, relax and come back ready to go.”
Rothwell case a reminder of Rangers place in transfer market
When you see teams like Ipswich and Bournemouth spending more than £20m on one player, it serves as a stark reminder as to where Rangers sit in the transfer market.
Wages are also an issue.
Teams at the bottom end of the Premier League are getting almost double in TV money what Rangers get for their annual revenue.
Rothwell is on the move again after seeing his Bournemouth transfer not go fully to plan.
This time, he is heading back to the comfort of the Championship where he has played his best football and to Leeds United, another team desperate to get promoted.
They are also a team desperate to make their money go as far as possible with Premier League transfer fees hitting them hard in the second tier.
Bosman transfers from England should always be considered for the right player, but Rangers shouldn’t over pay.
However, it remains the only way that Nils Koppen can truly compete when looking to bring players north of the border.
Some, like Dujon Sterling and Joe Aribo, still value prestige over pay packet.
