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In the wake of Rangers’ clinical 5-0 victory over Annan Athletic on January 16, 2026, Kris Boyd singled out Joe Rothwell as the tactical heartbeat of Danny Röhl’s side. While Bojan Miovski’s hat-trick stole the headlines, Boyd insisted it was Rothwell’s “midfield masterclass” that provided the platform for such a dominant Scottish Cup display.
​Boyd argued that Rothwell, often a rotation player, proved exactly why squad depth is the secret behind Rangers’ current six-game winning streak. Dictating the game from deep, Rothwell finished the match with a staggering 115 touches—the most on the pitch—and maintained a 100% success rate on long balls. It was his pinpoint, lofted cross that set up Kieran Dowell for the third goal, effectively killing off any hope of an Annan comeback.
​”Everyone is talking about the strikers, but Rothwell is the real reason for the fluidity we saw,” Boyd claimed on Sky Sports. “He conducted the orchestra. Without that level of composure in the pivot, you don’t get five goals.”
​For Boyd, Rothwell’s performance wasn’t just a good shift; it was a statement that Rangers now possess the tactical discipline to suffocate opponents regardless of who starts.
​Joe Rothwell: The Masterclass by Numbers
- ​115 Touches: More than any other player on the field.
- ​100% Long Pass Accuracy: 8/8 successful switches of play.
- ​1 Assist: A perfectly timed cross for Dowell’s header.
- ​0 Times Dispossessed: Complete control of the midfield tempo.
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