JOSH Windass has heard the rumours and seen the stories. While others talked the talk, he knew he had to walk the walk.
As the pieces fell into place for Pedro Caixinha this summer, Windass could easily have become one that didn’t fit into the Ibrox jigsaw.
Ryan Jack, Carlos Pena and Graham Dorrans arrived, while Niko Kranjcar and Jordan Rossiter returned from their respective lengthy injury lay-offs.
Windass was seemingly edging towards the exit door and a host of clubs south of the border were linked with a move for the midfielder. His perseverance has paid off, though.
The season may have started in European ignominy but Windass, like Rangers, has recovered in the last couple of weeks.
He was given a run-out against Marseille and handed a start against Watford. On Sunday, the 23-year-old opened the scoring as Caixinha’s side won at Hillsborough.
It was the latest step on the road to recovery for Windass. It is a journey he is determined to see through.
“Unless you are signing for Man Utd or Real Madrid, which at the moment doesn’t look that likely, I don’t think there is anywhere better to play your football than at this massive football club,” he said.
“It is better than a lot of clubs down in England. My mind has firmly been on getting in this team.
“I didn’t really chat to him (Caixinha). I just came in, got my head down and see where it took me.
“I think I have been linked with every club down in England for the last two weeks but my mind has been firmly fixed on playing for Rangers.”
The win over Sheffield Wednesday saw Caixinha’s side round off their summer schedule on a high note and the Gers’ focus is now fixed on Motherwell.
Windass made the most of his chance to impress at the weekend as he was given a start on the left side of a midfield four and opened the scoring with a cool finish late in the first half.
The Englishman has only ever shown glimpses of his potential since he moved from Accrington Stanley last summer but he is confident he can catch the eye for a sustained period.
“I have surprisingly scored a few in pre-season so I am happy with my form at the moment,” he said. “Hopefully I can carry it on into the season.
“Every season is a big season for you. I always knew if I played in the position I was most comfortable in I could get goals and create chances. “I have not really had much chance to do that since I have been here but I have had opportunities in pre-season so hopefully I can carry it on.
“At my last club I played off the striker but I like anywhere along the front three. I don’t mind.
“I always believed in myself. Even when I was playing poorly by my own standards I always believed that if I got back to as fit as I could be and playing as well as I could then I would be fine.”
The switch to a 4-4-2 formation and time on and off the park has been beneficial for the Light Blues and Windass is pleased with the progress that has been made.
“We have changed system, which the players seem to be finding more comfortable at the moment,” Windass added.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here