Warburton is keen on two more new faces

MARK WARBURTON insists his Rangers squad is already ‘more than good enough’ for the challenges of the Premiership season — but admits he would like to add two more players before next month’s signing deadline.

Although the Ibrox manager covets an extra man in both defence and attack, he believes a summer of extensive recruitment — yielding nine new players so far — has left his team well placed for the league kick-off at home to Hamilton Accies on August 6.

‘We would like to have one more defensive player and one more striker,’ said Warburton. ‘We have three full-backs and three centre-halves, so we need cover at the back.

‘In midfield, we have loads of options, we are really strong there but it would also be nice to have another striking option if one becomes available.

‘The squad is getting stronger and if we can get one or two more, great. If not, what we’ve got is more than good enough.’

There were occasions when Warburton did not fill his bench last season, most notably in both the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic and then the Final against Hibs.

The former Brentford boss insists he was not making a statement about the depth of his squad and the need for reinforcements but, having been backed by his board to land new

IT TOOK only 45 minutes for Josh Windass to secure his first goal for Rangers and the Man of the Match salver at Ochilview, but the midfielder had somebody else’s name on his lips at full-time.

Of all his new team-mates at Murray Park, midfielder Windass has been most impressed by winger Barrie McKay. So much so that he believes the 21-year-old (below) is already performing at a level that would see him hold his own in the English Premier League.

If Windass’ claims seem just a little excessive, there can be no doubting that McKay’s career path remains set on a steep upward trajectory. Restored to the first team a year ago by Mark Warburton after a series of unsatisfying loan spells at Morton and Raith Rovers, McKay thrived in the Championship last season and scored a spectacular Scottish Cup semi-final goal against Celtic.

A full Scotland cap arrived off the bench in the end-of-season defeat to France in Metz and another small sign of his enhanced status at Ibrox has come through his inheritance of the No10 jersey for the new campaign.

McKay’s excellent form continued in the Betfred Cup defeat of East Stirling on Friday, his work earning not only the penalty from which Andy Halliday opened the scoring but also laying Windass’s first goal for the club on a plate. ‘Barrie has been outstanding since I came here,’ said Windass, a summer recruit from Accrington Stanley. ‘His technique and pace are incredible for a guy so young and I think he has a really big future. ‘Last season he was brilliant and I was at the semi-final against Celtic when he scored that unbelievable goal. I was told a lot of good things about him and I haven’t been disappointed.

‘I don’t think there is any doubt he could play in the English Premier League and do well. Obviously he is a Rangers player and, hopefully, he will stay here for a long time. His turn of pace is just unbelievable and he glides past people like they aren’t even there. He’s brilliant to watch.’

McKay lasted the 90 minutes on Friday’s 3-0 win, rounded off by a debut goal from new striker Joe Dodoo, but Windass admitted he had been forced to bow out at half-time as a precaution.

‘I came off with a sore hamstring but I should be okay for the Stranraer game,’ said the 22-year-old. ‘I was meant to come off after an hour but it felt a little sore so the manager said it wasn’t worth risking it for 15 minutes and took me off.

‘I’m not sure how I managed to get the Man of the Match award but I was really pleased to get my first competitive goal for Rangers.

‘I should probably have got one the other night against Annan but it wasn’t to be. Before the game I said to myself I had to get on the scoresheet and thankfully I did.’

Windass added: ‘I feel I have fitted in pretty well. The first week or two was quite tough because it was quite intense compared to what I was used to. I feel I suit the style we play and I’m enjoying it.

‘It feels like I have made a big step up coming here from Accrington. We have a lot of quality and I think there are about six or seven of us competing for three places in midfield but that’s a healthy competition.

‘We are all friends off the park but that rivalry can only be good for Rangers.’