Leeds United’s pursuit of Scottish Premiership midfielder, Josh Windass took a huge blow after reports came out confirming the 24-year-old’s new contract extension with Rangers FC. Just days after James Tavernier received his long-term deal, the Light Blues rewarded Windass by tying down his services until the summer of 2021.
The £60,000 acquisition from Accrington Stanley has been a standout performer out of the 14 to enter the Ibrox stadium in summer of 2016. Windass scored two more goals in last week’s 6-1 demolition of Ayr United to make it 12 goals in all competitions for the English attacker this season. He has also supplied 8 assists.
The 24-year-old playmaker has been fielded as a starter in multiple roles under Graeme Murty and flourished. Mark Warburton’s decision to sign Windass on a four-year deal is laudable as his value has risen significantly higher over the past 18 months and the Gers will probably get a seven-figure sum if they decided to sell him.
Windass played his primitive years with Huddersfield Town before being let go in December 2012. He started his professional career with non-league side, Harrogate Railway Athletic and instantly started to draw attention from upper-tier sides.
Balancing the work of a construction worker and a semi-professional footballing career was tough and Accrington provided him with a full-time contract in the summer of 2013. He made 83 total appearances for the League Two side and netted the ball 23 times. Windass has been through the roughs to make it in the big stage and thriving in the Premiership is not a short break.
Acquiring a player like Windass would have been a major boost towards the right direction for Leeds but now they have to get out the scouting reports and find a replacement. The team is undergoing a horrific year and are without a single win since the 1-2 showing against Burton Albion on Boxing Day.
What started to be a remarkable campaign with the Whites flying at the top of the table has seen the side crumble to the depths of mid-table mediocrity. United are 8 points behind from the playoff spots and are about to go up against 6th placed Bristol City on Sunday.
While chipping in goals has been a real problem this season, some of the players have cost the club based on disciplinary issues. Samuel Saiz’s spitting allegation earned him a 6-game ban in the shock 2-1 loss to Newport Town in early January.
The former manager, Thomas Christiansen was quoted, “If that’s right why he got the red card then it’s a problem. This is something we need to talk about. We need to speak and we’ll see what happens.”
If Leeds were to sell off Saiz, Windass would have been a prime candidate to take over his role. In that respect, the contract extension should definitely come as a big blow to the Whites.
