Graeme Murty admits Rangers forward Josh Windass’ decision-making baffles him

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Josh Windass scored in Glasgow Rangers’ win, but the Ibrox winger did not completely impress his manager.

Graeme Murty has told Rangers’ official YouTube channel that mercurial sums up Rangers forward Josh Windass perfectly, and admitted that some of his decision-making leaves him baffled.

The Gers got back to winning ways on Tuesday night as they bounced back from their defeat to Hibernian at Ibrox at the weekend to beat Partick Thistle 2-0 at Firhill to move to within three points of Aberdeen in second place in the Scottish Premiership.

Windass scored an excellent first in the win before James Tavernier doubled the lead in the second-half. But while Windass earned some praise from his manager for yet another goal, Murty stopped well short of suggesting that it was the most complete performance from the forward.

“I think the word mercurial was coined for him because some of the stuff he does is of a really high level, and then he baffles you with some of the decisions he makes and that’s his challenge,” he told Rangers’ official YouTube channel.

“His challenge is always to remain at the best level and clean up in the back two thirds. In the front third, he’s disruptive and has got good quality.

“But in the back two thirds, he needs to be more secure on the ball, he needs to take care of it better, he needs to do a job for the team, and when he does that, he’ll be some player. At the minute, you’re seeing flashes.”

What should perhaps please some of the Rangers fans – though Windass’ celebration at Partick has probably done his relationship with the supporters few favours – is that the Englishman’s performances are leaving Murty somewhat frustrated, and yet, he is managing to contribute.

He has now scored 10 goals in just 29 appearances for the Gers this term, while he has also provided six assists in the league, which is a very encouraging return for a player that Murty has criticised.

And that return should leave Rangers fans feeling, as Murty suggests, that he could become an almost indispensable player for the Light Blues if he can build on the aspects of his game that he does so well right now.