Steven Gerrard has taken a firm stand over the futures of Josh Windass and James Tavernier, directing Mark Allen to not entertain any offers for the said players. The new Rangers boss wants to keep the duo in the club ranks for the upcoming season. This should come as a boost to most Gers fans since Windass is one of their better attacking options who if sold off, will certainly be hard to replace.
The 24-year-old slowed down late into the 2017/18 campaign but otherwise has been a standout performer for the Light Blues. He has played a key part in the team’s challenge for the league title and is slowly coming into his best years as a professional footballer.
Windass slotted in 18 goals last term and furthered 8 assists in 41 appearances, across all competitions. The £60,000 acquisition from Accrington Stanley has lit up the Scottish Premiership with his deft touch and sublime creative abilities.
Graeme Murty fielded Windass as a starter in multiple roles including the centre-forward position. 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. Rangers are expected to profit a seven-figure sum if they decided to sell him in the current market.
Windass spent his early years in the Huddersfield Town youth ranks before being released from his contract in December 2012. He started his professional career with non-league side, Harrogate Railway Athletic and instantly started to draw attention from the top-tier clubs.
Windass had to work part-time as a construction worker before Accrington offered a 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 all the hard work is paying off ten folds.
He has proven his worth to the Ibrox-based outfit and to Gerrard himself. The former Liverpool manager needs to make improvements to his current squad and not sell off players who are so integral to his operations.
Rangers have a difficult task ahead of them to overturn the humiliation they faced in the previous season. Losing 5-0 in the league and 4-0 in the Scottish Cup Semi-Finals to Celtic infuriated the fans which eventually led to the sacking of Murty.
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Gerrard will have to allocate the right talent pool to start challenging the likes of his former manager and current Celtic head coach, Brendan Rodgers to the league title next term.
