Windass poised to agree terms at Ibrox
ACCRINGTON STANLEY midfielder Josh Windass is ready to agree personal terms with Rangers — as the Ibrox outfit close in on a double pre-contract move. Accrington owner Andy Holt revealed on Monday that Windass and fellow midfielder Matt Crooks had already discussed a switch to Mark Warburton’s side at the end of the season. Windass is now understood to be close to finalising an arrangement with Rangers that would see off rival English interest in the 21-year-old. The Championship leaders would be required to pay training compensation for both players, whose contracts expire in the summer, as they are under 23. But Holt remains upset about the impending deals and how little money his club would receive under current cross-border transfer regulations. He found a supporter yesterday in outspoken Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony. Referring to the situation with Windass and Crooks on Twitter, MacAnthony said: ‘Hate the fact Scottish clubs can nick like this if I’m honest. Quality players them 2 lads. That’s the system though.’
When his comments were picked up by Holt, who reiterated he was ‘sickened by these crazy rules’, MacAnthony added: ‘I feel for you. Should it not happen, let me know as always happy to buy young talent and pay for it. All the best pal.’ The Irish businessman also predicted Accrington would likely get ‘£30,000 per player, if that’ if Rangers successfully landed the duo. Warburton has already brought in winger Harry Forrester and goalkeeper Maciej Gostomski to strengthen his squad this month. As it stands, however, the Ibrox club seem content to pursue pre-contract deals for Windass and Crooks that would bring them to the club in the summer.