Wrexham welcome Rotherham United to the STōK Cae Ras this weekend and that means Ollie Rathbone facing his former club.
Wrexham’s promotion push continues having secured an important win on Tuesday night.
Phil Parkinson took his side on the road and watched Wrexham beat Huddersfield Town 1-0 away from home.
Steven Fletcher grabbed the only goal of the game, scoring on the goal-line after a goalmouth scramble.
That victory meant that Wrexham matched Wycombe Wanderers’ result with the Chairboys beating Burton Albion 2-0.
Wrexham remain just two points off an automatic promotion spot and will be looking to pile the pressure on this weekend.
Phil Parkinson was absolutely right about Ollie Rathbone
Rotherham United are the visitors to the STōK Cae Ras this weekend with Wrexham looking to halt a slide in home form.
The game sees Ollie Rathbone go up against his former employers having left Rotherham for Wrexham back in August.
Wrexham paid a ‘significant’ fee for Rathbone according to Millers boss Steve Evans – and Phil Parkinson predicted major success.
Speaking way back in August, Parkinson predicted that Wrexham fans would love Rathbone.
Parkinson highlighted Rathbone’s energy and craft whilst earmarking him for a midfield role in Wrexham’s engine room.
“I am delighted with Ollie, I think he is a player our supporters will enjoy watching play. He is energetic but he has got real craft as well and he can play as an eight or off a striker, he is gives us a bit of versatility,” said Parkinson.
Fast forward seven months and Parkinson’s prediction has certainly come true.
Rathbone started the season in slightly slow fashion, which was understandably as he adjusted to a new club whilst Wrexham had a settled midfield.
Now though, Rathbone is surely one of the first names on Parkinson’s team sheet and will be a strong contender for Player of the Season.
Rathbone has now chipped in with five goals and three assists in 29 League One games this season, becoming a real force from midfield.
Matching energy with real quality in the final third Rathbone is a firm fan favourite with Rotherham’s loss certainly Wrexham’s gain.
Rotherham United reunion for Sebastian Revan too
Rathbone is loving life at Wrexham according to his father Mick and he will be relishing the chance to play against Rotherham.
There is another former Miller in the Wrexham squad though with Sebastian Revan potentially set to feature again.
Revan spent last season on loan at Rotherham before joining Wrexham from Aston Villa on a permanent basis.
After a mixed season, Revan is now thriving in the Wrexham starting XI, taking his chance in recent weeks.
Revan has linked up well with Rathbone at times and Wrexham will be looking for that combination to come up trumps this weekend – and haunt Rotherham in the process.