Only Real Madrid & Man Utd can beat playing for Gers
SAYS JOSH WINDASS Midfielder is sticking with Light Blues and wants to secure first-team spot
JOSH WINDASS was linked with Rotherham but insists it would take interest from Real Madrid for him to give up on his Rangers dream.
The 23-year-old looked set for the Ibrox exit door but boss Pedro Caixinha has tipped him to have a bright future at the club after a starring role in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday.
Windass moved to Rangers in a double deal with Matt Crooks from Accrington last summer but the pair struggled to make any real impact.
Crooks in particular failed to impress and after just one league appearance was deemed surplus to requirements by Caixinha, joining Northampton.
Windass was expected to go the same way as the likes of Ryan Jack, Graham Dorrans and Carlos Pena arrived to increase midfield competition.
But the Englishman, given a run of starts towards the end of last season, is determined to force his way into the top team.
Windass netted the opener against the Owls and produced an all-round impressive display at Hillsborough.
He featured in just 21 league games last season but has no intention of leaving Glasgow after just one campaign. That is despite reported interest from the Millers, Hull and QPR.
Ahead of Sunday’s league opener at Motherwell, Windass said: “Unless you are signing for Real Madrid or Man United, which at the moment doesn’t look likely, there is nowhere better to play your football than at this massive club. “It is better than a lot of clubs in England. I get tweets and messages saying this club wants me or that club wants me.
“I have been linked with every club in England for the last two weeks but my mind has been firmly fixed on playing for Rangers. Every season is a big one. I always knew if I played in the position I was most comfortable in I could get goals and create chances.
“I have not really had much chance to do that since I’ve been here but I’ve had opportunities in pre-season so hopefully I can carry it on. At my last club I played off the striker but I like anywhere along the front three. I don’t mind. “I played midfield a lot last season, which I still enjoyed, but I don’t think I’m as capable there as I am further up. “I always believed in myself. Even when I was playing poorly by my own standards I always believed if I got back as fit and playing as well as I could then I would be fine. “I have surprisingly scored a few goals in pre-season so I am happy with my form. Hopefully I can carry it on into the season. “I haven’t really had a chat with the manager. I came in during the summer, got my head down and I’ll see where it takes me.” Ibrox boss Caixinha admitted recruiting big characters has helped turn things around since the shock Euro loss to Progres Niederkorn.
But Windass believes it’s the quality of the likes of Bruno Alves, Graham Dorrans and Ryan Jack that has helped, as much as their ability to lead. Throw in a 4-4-2 set-up the players look comfortable in and Windass knows there has been progress.
He insists the players were hurting after the nightmare in Luxembourg but are looking to make amends.
A few bonding sessions have helped with team spirit and it has shown with the friendly draw against Marseille at Ibrox before wins over Watford and the Owls.
Windass said: “Big Bruno has come in while Jacko and Dozza have been brilliant.
“I don’t think we necessarily have more leaders, it’s the quality more than leadership.
“Bruno has played at the highest level so is clearly going to be a good addition.
“He has done well and all the lads have followed his lead. We’ve changed system, which the players seem to be finding more comfortable at the moment.
“Everybody knows the disappointment we had in Luxembourg but the Marseille and Watford games were good and against a really good team in Wednesday we easily held our own.
“The lads are looking forward to the new season. We’ve had a couple of days out, for some food and a few drinks together.
“We are getting to know each other. A couple of the lads can’t speak English too well but it is funny trying to get it out of them!
“People say when we are losing the lads don’t know what it means to wear the shirt but they do know. We are all pushing in the right direction to get where we want to be.”