Windass focuses on door to Europe
● Midfielder insists qualification for European competition is the minimum requirement for Rangers this season
RANGERS
V ST JOHNSTONE
As the Ibrox club lick their wounds after Sunday’s Betfred Cup semi-final defeat by Celtic, the focus returns to a Premiership campaign in which Mark Warburton’s side have so far struggled to achieve their desired levels of performance on a consistent basis.
Rangers go into tonight’s home fixture against St Johnstone in fifth place, two points behind their visitors who have played one game more.
Windass refuses to rule out the prospect of mounting a serious challenge for the title itself, despite the evidence of the first two Old Firm meetings of the campaign indicating a significant gulf remains between Rangers and Scottish champions Celtic who are unbeaten at the top of the pile.
But the 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who was dismayed by his own contribution in the 1-0 loss at Hampden three days ago, admits Rangers’ initial focus must be on at least establishing themselves in a Europa League qualifying position.
“As a Rangers player, you
0 Josh Windass, battling with Celtic’s Tom Rogic, was disappointed with his performance on Sunday. come here to play European football and that is what the lads want to do,” said Windass. “That is the minimum expectation. That comes with being second or third in the Premiership. We would love to win the league but European football is key to getting more money into the club and closing the gap (on Celtic).
“We have to go into every game now and maintain the performances from the league games before it. We were playing well in the league so we have to keep that going and hopefully the points gap between us and Celtic, by the time we play them next, isn’t that large and we can maybe close it then.
“In retrospect, beating Celtic doesn’t win you the league. You would love to beat Celtic and the fans really want you to beat Celtic. But in the long stretch, beating Celtic four times doesn’t win you the Premiership. If we take care of business, keep picking up points, improve and close the gap on Celtic in the table, then we can challenge for the title.
“Aberdeen want to challenge for the title as well, there are a few teams who fancy themselves for it. If you are not challenging for the title, then there is no point in being here.”
Windass made his first starting appearance in over a month for Rangers last Sunday following an injury layoff. While Warburton’s men proved more competitive than when they lost 5-1 at Celtic Park in the league back in September, Windass himself was unable to build on his own display in that earlier rout when he was the sole bright spark for Rangers.
“As a team, we showed what people don’t really expect from Rangers on Sunday,” he said. “Our pressing off the ball was good.
“Reflecting on his own performance, however, Windass added: “I had quite a poor game on the ball. I don’t think it was the occasion, I just didn’t have a good game. I don’t know why.
“It was my first game back from injury and you can’t play well every week, so I’ll just let it slide now.”
St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark believes blocking out the Rangers fans will be crucial when they go to Ibrox tonight.
Clark was on the bench when Saints knocked Rangers out of last season’s League Cup at Ibrox, having twice come away with a draw while playing for Queen of the South.
“I played there a couple of times with Queens and it’s a great occasion, usually a full house as I imagine it will be again on Wednesday night,” the 24-year-old said. “It’s great to go there and play. You know what to expect from them. You have to make sure you blank out the fans and just focus on the game plan.
“You need to try and silence them and get their fans frustrated. But we will focus on what we need to do and hopefully the result takes care of itself.”
Last year’s 3-1 cup triumph ended Rangers’ 11-match winning run and Clark recalled: “The game was a great performance so we need to try and recreate that performance and hopefully the outcome is the same.”