JOSH HAS THE WIND IN HIS SAILS
RANGERS v Statue for Fernando CORINTHIANS Kranjcar: Windass is a class act and will be top-flight star in England one day
FERNANDO RICKSEN will have a statue unveiled in his honour today at Fortuna Sittard.
The former Rangers captain, who is battling Motor Neurone Disease, began and ended his playing career with the Dutch club.
Ricksen, 41, will attend the unveiling of the bronze statue – commissioned through crowdfunding by Fortuna’s fans – at the club’s Offermans Joosten Stadion. JOSH WINDASS has a long way to go before he gets close to achieving what Niko Kranjcar has in the game.
But as the Croat playmaker watches the cocky Rangers star develop at Ibrox he probably sees a bit of himself in Windass.
At his peak Kranjcar oozed self-belief and confidence. When he played in the Premier League and Champions League for Spurs or for his country at the World Cup he wasn’t afraid to be audacious.
He had raw ability that needed to be honed before he was good enough for the top level. Right now the same could be said for Windass.
In the early hours of yesterday morning the 24-year-old came off the bench in Florida against Atletico Mineiro and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.
Playing in his preferred position just off the front – a role Kranjcar was a master of in his heyday – Windass excelled with his stunning finish sealing a 1-0 Rangers win.
It has taken the Englishman a while but he seems to finally have found favour with the Ibrox support.
Under new gaffer Graeme Murty he has discovered a rich vein of form that has resulted in interest from clubs down south.
Rangers have already knocked back a £500,000 bid from Championship outfit Preston and more offers may come in before the end of January.
Kranjcar, who once ripped up England’s top flight, is adamant Windass will eventually be good enough for the Premier League.
He has watched him improve at Ibrox and believes his self-confidence can take him to the top.
Kranjcar, who arrived 18 months ago as well, said: “I’m sure Josh has better people than me to ask for advice. But whether he leaves here or not will be his and the club’s decision.
“What I can say for certain is he has had a great six months at Rangers. He has evolved as a player and he’s getting better every day.
“And the most important thing for Josh is he has the confidence to go with the talent he has both physically and on the ball. Does he have real self-belief ? Can you not see it? I don’t even need to answer that.
“He has a very bright future ahead and I’m sure he’ll be good enough to play in the Premier League, definitely.
“Hopefully I can help mentor Josh at Rangers. I’m here for everyone if they want to talk about football – I’m happy to encourage everyone.
“As a footballer the first thing you need is to believe in yourself and the ability you have.
“Then you obviously have to work hard. Josh has all that.
“He has tremendous pace and power yet is still good on the ball.
“He makes great runs in behind and has been scoring goals this season which for a modern-day footballer is really important.”
Murty also praised Windass after the former Accrington player’s