After an impressive £2.5million transfer was completed for his sale, it’s been clear for a while that Josh Windass would’ve never become Rangers’ main man.
The former Accrington Stanley attacker signed for Wigan Athletic on transfer deadline day for a seven-figure sum. He becomes Rangers’ most valuable sale since Nikica Jelavic left Ibrox for Everton back in 2012.
His departure shows the lack of faith manager Steven Gerrard had in his ability to produce consistently for Rangers. Clearly there’s talent there, but the youngster doesn’t grab games by the scruff of the neck.
Windass has shown during his time in Glasgow that he has the ability to play in a variety of positions. Plying his trade in all roles across the midfield during his time at the club, the 24-year-old showed terrific versatility.
There can also be no doubt that the Englishman has improved and developed since arriving two years ago. When he came in under Mark Warburton in 2016, Windass looked like raw potential. At Ibrox, he’s managed to improve his finishing, build his strength, and increase his work-rate.
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You only need to go back to Sunday to see the impact he could make on his day. Windass won the controversial penalty that fired Rangers 1-0 ahead, and that was through hi own ability to know where to be at the right time.
However, despite his positives, one key aspect halted him from ever being Rangers’ main man – his mentality.
The former Accrington starlet was a hard worker on the pitch, but his decision-making off it was questionable. A Throwback Thursday post on Instagram relating to Rangers’ 5-1 loss at Parkhead two years ago is one example in which the attacker pushed the support away.
With his dad questioning team line-ups on social media and occasionally arguing with supporters, Windass struggled to shrug off the outside influences.
Was he made a scapegoat? Perhaps. Was the level of criticism unfair on him? Undoubtedly. Were Rangers then correct to sell him? Absolutely.
For the simple fact is that Windass never had the mentality to consistently perform. In big games, the 24-year-old showed flashes. In small games, he tended to show very little.
There was a purple patch last season where he became Rangers’ second highest goalscorer. Yet, Windass has never managed to replicate that form since or build on it.
Jamie Murphy, Ryan Kent, and Glenn Middleton have all come in to take Windass’ spot. However, the midfielder isn’t the kind of player who would’ve been up for the fight.
At £2.5m plus add-ons, Rangers have secured a good deal for a player who would’ve never had the mentality to be Rangers’ MVP.
Wigan can hopefully be the platform Windass needs and deserves. However, for Rangers, this was a relationship that just wasn’t ever going to go where they both hoped.