The value of Josh Windass

According to reports, Ipswich Town have submitted a £2M bid for Josh Windass.

Windass, who has been out of favour recently despite seeming pre-season to be very much part of Steven Gerrard’s plans going forward, has been a slightly divisive figure during his time at Ibrox, blowing hot and cold, but did work hard for the team on Sunday in the face of accusations of shirking responsibility.

But we remain a little puzzled by Gerrard’s handling of him; and we did consider whether wasting him on the right then dropping might not be detrimental to his market value. As a young English forward with a fair old whack of potential and lots of goals, Windass’ theoretical value should be in the region of £4M.

So Town’s bid is surely below the value we’d expect for the ex-Accrington man, but then would we expect them to come straight in at his proper fee?

Pre-season Windass did seem to be an integral part of the side, but being played on the right before being axed has put a different complexion on things, albeit he returned for Pittodrie.

The ultimate question is are Rangers a better team with him in the side?

On either flank, no. It’s that simple. If Gerrard is going to play with wide men and no number 10, as is currently the case with the 4-3-3, there is just no place for Windass to be deployed most effectively.

If Gerrard is going to use a central number 10, then yes, Windass could have a role to play given Rangers only really have him and Ovie Ejaria for that position.

The 4-1-4-1 seems to have been axed, but oddly enough there was space in that formation for a 10 – and it went to Daniel Candeias while Windass was wide.

Your guess on that one is as good as ours.

We do suspect though if a good enough bid comes in, Windass will be expendable. Rangers still need a striker, and with Alfredo Morelos similarly the subject of interest from various clubs, the sooner the better that we have funds to invest in one.