Josh Windass, the 5’ 9” Rangers forward was born in Hull, Yorkshire and is the son of former Hull City, Bradford and Aberdeen player Dean Windass, who advised his son not to sign a contract extension with Accrington Stanley.
This was very astute thinking as it was becoming obvious to his dad that other teams bigger than the Wham Stadium side were showing a huge interest in the young attacking midfield player with an eye for scoring goals.
Young Windass spent three years at Accrington making 75 appearances and scoring a very creditable 23 goals in that time and managed to score an incredible 17 goals in his last season there before moving north to join Rangers.
Windass signed a pre-agreement-contract at the end of 2015 which would see him officially join up with Mark Warburton’s Rangers side on 1 July 2016, just in time for a tour of America, where he scored on his Gers debut, and he has kept up the good habit of scoring goals since.
It is reputed that Rangers agreed a compensation fee with Accrington of only £60,000 to secure his services with the signing of a four-year contract that keeps him at the club until the summer of 2020.
The young pacy midfielder began his career at Huddersfield Town before a heart breaking leg fracture forced him to give up the game he loved so much for a short period of time.
He worked as a labourer before joining Harrogate Railway Athletic, who were a non-league football team, but it got him back playing again. Accrington Stanley moved in to sign him and the rest is history.
Last month he set himself a target of reaching double figures by the end of the season and on Tuesday 6 February against Partick Thistle, he reached that figure of 10 goals – well ahead of his target!
Since setting himself that target, the 24-year-old has kept true to his word, with a stunning return of four goals in his last three outings.
Should Windass keep his scoring up, there is no doubt he will be attracting much interest from down south, with his performances proving that he is a real asset to any top side.
Season 2017-18 has seen Josh featuring in 24 of Rangers’ league matches and scoring 7 league goals and after playing in only one Scottish Cup game against Fraserburgh, he scored 3 glorious goals up in Bellslea Park to secure his first Light Blues’ hat trick in an important game for Rangers to win.
The midfielder is now rapidly approaching current Rangers’ top scorer Alfredo Morelos, whose 13 strikes so far have led to him to being linked to China, with an 8-million pound move mooted in the January window.
The Ibrox midfielder and son of Hull legend Dean was getting jeered by his own fans in the Scottish Premiership clash against Partick Thistle at Firhill until he scored a great goal in the 39th minute of the game. He then ‘shushed’ his own fans in the stadium, basically to ask them to get off his back.
Now comes the feedback: –
Josh Windass was branded “arrogant and stupid” for telling Gers fans to be quiet with his goal celebration by one disgruntled supporter.
“I don’t agree with the gesture but I fully understand it. He is constantly unfairly slated by some of the rangers “support”.”
Another one wrote: “You’d think Windass had spat at the fans. What an overreaction.”
All he does is score goals so let’s get rid of him. Josh has loads of potential and Murty is trying to get him to produce it more in every game. We could lose him in the summer, if the fans don’t get off his back.
Some fans reacted online with rage when they saw what some of them perceived as a big insult to the travelling Rangers supporters.
Another posted: “Not the smartest move. You don’t earn the right to ‘shush’ our fans with one good performance every few games.”
A fellow fan said: “Windass should have his a*** kicked for that gesture to the fans.”
One wrote: “I like Windass but he definitely thinks he’s a lot better than he actually is.”
The boy gets far too much stick from the fans. When a result doesn’t go right we are always looking for a scapegoat. Most often, that is Josh.
In my opinion he is a good player and worthy of a starting eleven jersey. Since playing through the middle he offers a threat. 10 goals and 6 assists at this stage in the season isn’t a bad return. Once he shows the desire to defend from the front, he will become a fans’ favourite.
Let’s hope this incident doesn’t create a divide and come back to haunt Josh Windass.
Another posted: “Windass has some balls to shush the fans. He’s had a decent season but he’s not irreplaceable. He’s inconsistent and should focus on being a better player rather than acting like a spoilt brat.”
I don’t understand the mentality of the Rangers fans. Too many are far too quick to criticise and sometimes it is no wonder they find it hard to play at Ibrox.
It is no coincidence that Rangers’ worst results are at home, they just don’t get the backing like they do at away games.
One said: “Acting like a spoiled wean just makes him look stupid, arrogant, and will make him a bigger target now.”
A fellow fan wrote: “Windass shushing the fans is appalling, should be fined and dropped. F*** any player that thinks he’s bigger than the club and immune from criticism.”
Take away the goals and assists that Windass has achieved this season and where would we be?
“I was in the stands on Tuesday and saw Windass try things and the crowd got on his back. Then you see Cummings try things that don’t come off and its “Unlucky Jason”. Not everybody can play great all the time, he’s a trier and some things come off and some things don’t, but please treat all the players the same.”
Don’t come down too hard on one or two of the players, as it does the team and the players more harm than good.
This is exactly the view I've had on things for months. People will probably think I'm the biggest Windass fan. Trust me I'm not. But I think he does add value to the first eleven, and deservedly has a starting spot. I think he needs to improve, much like others in our team but he is performing better than the criticism aimed at him (especially since moving into the middle).
I'm of the belief that in harder games we need to drop an attacking player for another midfielder. Sometimes that will be Josh, others it will be Murphy our Candeias. Hibs are a team with a strong midfield and that might have been a game to do that. And that is not Windass' fault.
If Windass consistently played for a full 90+ with the commitment and urgency required to be a Rangers player, then fans would not criticise him.
I pay to see Rangers players give 100% for the full 90+ minutes. Do that, even if beaten, I can walk away saying we did all we could and they gave an honest days shift on the park.
If I may, Jason Holt is not the most gifted of players, but nobody can deny that he covers every blade of grass in each game. He does not get booed, why, cause fans can see he is giving it his all, an honest days work. Windass, who is more gifted than Holt, does not give his all, never an honest days work. That's why he gets booed, he hides for at least 50 mins of every game.
If I was to go to my own work and only gave 5 hours out of 10 per day. How long do you think it would take for my boss to kick me out the door?!! Knowing my boss, that same day probably! So why should Windass get away with not giving honest days work since he came to Rangers. He is earning thousands per week. Fans put millions in per season. We deserve better. That goes for all the players, not just Windass, but he is the most laziest!
I have no issue with a player reacting like Josh did. Is it right that he is getting the stick he is getting, one could argue yes.
We are starting to show that this team can challenge for the league and our best day I truly believe we are capable of beating Celtic and the rest. However, what is frustrating all off us fans is the inconsistency we are showing. I would accept the indifferent results if our team was not capable of playing to the standards required. This team is able to achieve those standards. Windass is getting the brunt of the Rangers support because he is often the player that gets into great positions but is guilty of missing chances. As supporters this is frustrating because we know how capable Windass can be hence the abuse he gets for missing those chances.
Do I think some supporters get carried away, they do – but football fans are fickle. I am guilty of it and if everyone football supporter asks themselves the same question they are guilty of it to. Hence Josh is getting a bit more abuse than is possibly merited. But as a player, that is something you should be taught going into the professional game and take it with a pinch of salt.
On Josh's reaction – for me excellent and more of it. That goal by rangers was top class. It was a great finish. If he is going to shush the fans then do it exactly how he did it against Partick Thistle. This shows me that he listening and understands that his form at times isn't good enough and needs to show more consistency. Those are the pressures that not only come with playing for a big club but more importantly, a team that has the potential to win something.
Has the reaction to Jason Cummings coming into the squad lit a fire under him? Good, that's what we want! We want to sign players that kick others on to the next level. Lets be honest Cummings hasn't done anything yet, with the love he is getting it will quickly turn if he doesn't deliver. Remember what I said, football fans are fickle.
Josh, we will give you stick for missing your chances and not playing well. But we will also praise the ground you walk on for all the good that you have done so far but also what you WILL do for the club if you improve you consistency.
That point is not alone for Josh but for the rest of the team. We are a team o they way back, still a long road ahead, but we are beginning to see the light at the end of this miserable tunnel.
100% correct
The most accurate and truthful comment I’ve read on here period… Supporters can give it the big yin but can’t take something as petty as this ( embarrassing ). I hope he does a tongue licking one for all the fannies moaning about him….
I am a Windass fan he has improved visibly since his signing.. playing in the role he is suited to instead of wasted on the wing. Goals are the key and he is a goal threat. We have to really have to give our team time especially at Ibrox were the pressure is huge .. given the teams age , experience and ability.
His first full season not hampered by injuries for us he's done well hes capable of more, o don't think he's not trying the amount of games lovenkrands was terrible in but he was a great player on his day for us if Josh can score a winner against Celtic all will be forgotten hope he stays. Gives us something different when he gets space to play in. Misses less chances than morelos . He's still developing at 24 his best years are ahead of him. Look how much James Tavernier has came on this season.
I agree with your comments about Peter Lovenkrands. He is one of many players over the years who can be great and rubbish in the same game. I would say the Barry McKay was another. Some so called Rangers supporters need to calm down and take a good look at themselves. None of us are perfect. Give Josh Windass a break!
Fans are entitled to criticise players and players are equally entitled to react. The problem is the bullying mentality of fans who constantly get on the back of a player then greet like weans when the player answers back. Petty.
Ever since Windass joined Rangers I have seen more negative comment than positive written about him – mainly from our own supporters.
The lad is fast on the way to becoming our top scorer and has improved immeasurably since he arrived, but still there are those who complain about him.
Why should it not be fair for him to make his feelings known? There are too many whingers who get irrationally upset about stupid things and don't look at the big picture. This lad is going to make us a nice profit down the line so, ffs get off his back and give him some encouragement instead of all this mock offense you come out with.
I support any rangers player even when they have a bad game hoping he will pick up the next game whe have players down the years who have done this eve the gray Jim Baxter Davie cooper John Grieg had bad games I thought it was our role as fans to support the team good or bad not heckle them leave that to others who hate rangers and those who think they can slag a player because they pay good money then keep your money pay to see Celtic and fill your desire to slag people you supposedly hate if that's what floats your boat rangers player need your support not your slagging that's my wee rant for today makes me feel good
Makes me feel good as well Hugh. Well said.
How many players have been hounded by their own Rangers no over the years, sometimes adding to the detriment of the individuals performance and the teams.
I go back a long time seeing the unnecessary abuse certain players get to name a few, I will also pass judgement on these players too.
Dave Smith; he was hounded by fans as in inside left but a move into defence and not only did he recover from two broken legs, won the SFA player of the year one year, he was a brilliant underrated sweeper.
Alex MacDonald; was panned by most Rangers fans, he struggled initially like Smith, not yet finding his proper niche in the team, just look up his statistics in games played for us and his very important goals scored.
Billy Mathieson; or William Wanfit as some called him, he got howls of abuse from fans in the enclosure at Ibrox in whatever half he had to play on front of them.
Note: Those three players clocked about 1000 appearances for Rangers and were in our major Eoropean success team.
Others who suffered were Stuart Munro, Maurice Ross, Alan Hutton,Alistair McCoist, Mark Hateley, Peter Lovenkrands, etc.
My favourite put down to a small group of fans was at Dens Park. Rangers came out to warm up and for some reason this group shouted abuse at Davie Cooper during the warm up and believe me it was disgraceful. They started chanting ‘Moody Blue’ at him and as he walked past them up the tunnel more bile vented at him. Our worst rivals couldn’t have spat more bile at him. Cooper actually didn’t start the game and again when out warming up these guys kept on at him.
Davie entire on in what was a dreary game, for the last 25 minutes and played at his finest, he made two goals and scored one , my memory of the game not as good as seeing what I witnessed, but am sure we won 4 – 0 or 4 – 1.
Davie had every right to go and shush those guys, but he went to them, spoke to them, shook their hand and even signed autographs.
We need as Rangers fans to inspire our players, not howl foul an abusive language at them, it doesn’t mean we can’t criticise individual players, but surely a gee up to a player I see far better than a torrent of bile. Leave the bile for our opponents if you have to spout it, not for our players.
Brilliant I wish I could have put it like that well said Alan we could do without these supporters who constantly get on players backs
Yes, I agree, Windass should take a leaf out of Davie Coopers book on how to respond to fans!
Brilliant, sensible, intelligent article. This Rangers team is frustrating a lot of the time, but I cannot think of a game where Windass has been the main problem for us. I am a firm believer in supporting the team on the park, if he's wearing the strip, he gets my support. I'm annoyed obviously when things don't go right and grumble and moan, but the abuse that certain players are singled out for is totally unfair. Much of it comes from public perception created by the social and mainstream media and his personality. I don't care if our players are nice guys or tossers, I care about the team winning. It is clear that abusing the team or certain players does not get us wins. The '12th man' in terms of a support that can intimidate the other team, that can motivate their own team, is one that loudly SUPPORTS rather than abusing the players we have. Perhaps the larger fan base's self esteem is the issue, that they don't feel we have much to sing loudly about anymore, but it dismays me to sit in the stand surrounded by people sitting on their hands for 75 mins of a game, only making a noise when we score or when Windass misplaces a pass. Rangers is my team, so are support what we have, regardless of how bad they can be. The other team deserves the ire.
Sorry but so much written regarding this matter. Let's be clear, since the start of this season Windass has been our most potent attacking force; not Morelos who, frankly, has the poorest work-rate of any Rangers striker, for some time. Windass? Yes maybe it was a bit dumb – what he dID but how about the Rangers supporters who have given him RIDICULOUS stick all season EVEN last week against Fraserburgh when he scored a hat-trick! Such fans are a disgrace. Keep giving him unwarranted stick and i would support the response he gave against Thistle. Get real you 'fans' and support our boys. Yes, he is not bigger than the club but neither are the supporters – or those purporting to be Rangers supporters!
I listen to Windass being picked on almost from the off in every home game……..and we wonder why our home form is so poor! Atmosphere has become very dífficult for the guys to perform freely particularly if we don't score first. Let's get behind the team including Josh ….I am not bothered about the shushing!
I was not impressed with the Gesture
I am not a fan of Windass
I think Sell! 👍
As a large group of fans have already mentioned …
Hes not irreplaceable
One good game every so often wont cut it.
And how dare he shush the fans like he Cristiano Ronaldo…Sell Him! 👌
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