No doubts over my hat-trick says Gers’ Windass

JOSH Windass revealed Rangers boss Graeme Murty almost refused to play ball following his Hamilton hat-trick.

The Englishman — who last week signed a new Gers contract tying him to Ibrox until 2021 — extended his stunning hot streak to nine goals in five games as his side ran up a 5-3 Ladbrokes Premiership win at Accies.

However, tough taskmaster Murty reckoned Windass should not have been credited with his first strike after Hamilton goalkeeper Gary Woods failed to deal with his powerful shot and fumbled the ball into his own net.

“I’m always going to claim it,” insisted Windass, who is now just one goal behind the Light Blues’ top scorer Alfredo Morelos with 15 strikes this term. “It was on target so, as far as I’m concerned, it’s my goal.

“The manager wasn’t so sure. He wasn’t going to sign my ball although he did in the end.

“That’s nine from five now. It is a good record and, hopefully, I can keep carrying it on. It is difficult to keep scoring that many goals but I will give it a go.

“I don’t think we actually played well and, against a better team, we would have been punished.

“Hopefully, we will improve on that next week.”

Rangers cantered to victory but only after a thrill-a-minute first half.

Ex-Accies midfielder Greg Docherty’s mistake gifted his old side the opener as his error was punished by Darren Lyon.

Jamie Murphy gave an instant response, though, while Windass then had Gers ahead. The hosts hit back again through David Templeton after 22 minutes but Gers eventually took command, with Morelos and Windass putting them two-up at the break.

Windass claimed the match ball with his third, with Dougie Imrie’s late spotkick mere consolation for Hamilton.

Neil McCann and Simon Murray.