Rangers' Josh Windass can't wait to face Celtic again

Rangers midfielder Josh Windass believes he was the best player in Englands League Two. Picture: SNS

If there was one sliver of light for Rangers amid the gloom of their 5-1 defeat at Celtic Park last Saturday, it was the performance of Josh Windass.

On his Premiership debut for the Ibrox club, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder was certainly the only member of Mark Warburton’s side who emerged from the afternoon with his reputation enhanced.

Windass is also in a minority of one among those connected with Rangers in that he found himself able to savour such a bruising outcome for his team.

“After the game, I just wanted to play it again the day after,” he reflected. “I loved every minute of it. I know we lost the game, but I just loved every minute of the experience.

“As a footballer, you want to play in those games. It was the best experience of my life so far. We got beat and that was horrible, but I can’t wait for the next Old Firm game and the one after that.”

Windass delivered an assured and confident display on the biggest stage Scottish football can offer, indicating that he could quickly become a key player for Rangers this season.

The former Accrington Stanley man has no doubts he can make a seamless step from the fourth tier of English football to the top flight of the Scottish game.

“I’ve always believed in myself,” added Windass. “Last year at Accrington I believed I was the best player in League Two down in England.

“People might say it’s big-headed, but that’s just how I am. I believe that if I play to my best then I can play in the Rangers midfield. It shouldn’t be a problem.

“It’s a game of football at the end of the day. I play the way I’ve always played and it doesn’t matter if it’s in the street or at Celtic Park. It’s 11 v 11 and it’s a game of football. I don’t treat it any differently.”

Windass has clearly inherited a sense of self-assurance from his father Dean, the former Aberdeen and Hull City player.