Joe Rothwell knows Rangers have a target on their backs as he plans to put on a show for those taking aim

Joe Rothwell knows Rangers have a target on their backs as he plans to put on a show for those taking aim

Russell Martin starts life in the Scottish Premiership away to Motherwell on Saturday and Rothwell wants to make a statement

Joe Rothwell of Rangers takes a corner kick

Joe Rothwell says everyone wants to beat Russell Martin’s new-look Rangers - but insists they’re ready to get off to a Premiership flyer against Motherwell.

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The Ibrox midfielder has already helped the club navigate a difficult Champions League qualifying tie against Panathinaikos.

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And now he’s gearing up for their league opener at Fir Park on Saturday night.

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Rothwell expects it to be frantic in Lanarkshire with The Steelmen out to spoil Gers’ Premiership start.

But the 30-year-old - who arrived from Bournemouth this summer - is adamant that Martin’s men can compete with Celtic for the title.

Rothwell said: “The need for a fast start in the league doesn’t have to be emphasised to us.

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“As players, we know it’s massive. We want to get off to a winning start and we’re ready to go.

“It’s going to be fast and erratic at the start of the game but it’s down to us to take control and build momentum as quickly as we can.

“Everyone is going to want to beat us so we want to put on a show.

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“It’s a result-based business and we’re going there on Saturday to win.

“Ultimately, winning the title is what everyone wants to do. But we can’t get ahead of ourselves.

“Winning breeds confidence so Saturday is huge for us. Hopefully we can go there and get the three points.”

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Rothwell admits it’s been a shock to the system, coming to Ibrox from English football.

Joe Rothwell and Panathinaikos' Filip Djurisic in action

There was huge pressure on the Panathinaikos tie, with Rangers now facing Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen as they attempt to reach the Champions League group phase.

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But Rothwell says that’s why he joined the club.

He said: “We’re trying to implement a new style here and we’re doing it with less training because there are so many games.

“So to come through the European tie and get the result we wanted was massive.

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“It’s a bit strange playing European games before the actual season has started.

“But it has given us a chance to put things we’ve worked on into practice.

“I said when I arrived that European football was a massive pull for me and we’ve now given ourselves a chance to get to the Champions League, which is what we want.

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“We’re guaranteed group stage football now which is great for us.”

Rothwell is used to playing for a big club having helped Leeds United win the Championship in England last term.

He’s loved playing in front of the Rangers support so far and hopes his experience of winning at Elland Road can help him at Ibrox.

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He said: “The fans are going to be key for us all season. We could hear them up in the stands in Athens the other night.

“It’s another away game on Saturday so I’m sure they’ll be loud there too.

“Both Rangers and Leeds are massive clubs but obviously playing European games here is different to being in the Championship.

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“Last season was a great experience for me and it was part of the manager’s reasoning for getting me here.”

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