Moment Rangers star got off team bus on way to a game after Steven Gerrard gave him shock message

Scottish Sun

22-05-2025

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
FORMER Rangers attacker Josh Windass has revealed Steven Gerrard scolded him for the way he left the club after he got off the team bus, got into his car and drove away.
Windass exited the Ibrox outfit joining then-Championship side Wigan on transfer deadline day in August 2018.
Sign up for the Rangers newsletter
Sign up
3
Josh Windass, Rangers
Credit: Willie Vass - The Sun Glasgow
3
Steven Gerrard and Josh Windass in training
Credit: Willie Vass - The Sun Glasgow
3
Josh Windass celebrates his opening goal for Rangers
Credit: Willie Vass - The Sun Glasgow
But the wheels were set in motion when Windass shared Gerrard took him off the team bus ahead of crucial Europa League match against Maribor at Ibrox to say there was interest in him.
And it all quickly unravelled from there.
Windass told the Open Goal podcast: "I started the first two games of the season then left on deadline day.
"I had a nightmare. They activated my buyout clause.
"He got me off the bus and told me, [there's] a bid in for you.
"I have got to tell you because you're not going to leave to go there'.. and then I left."
The Sheffield Wednesday striker added: " I didn't have an agent at the time. It was a bad decision.
"But I just got in my car and went down the motorway.
"[Rangers assistant] Mick Beale was texting me, saying you're making a big mistake.
"I was 23, I wanted a bigger wage. I was stupid."
Watch Rangers boss Steven Gerrard show his love for Josh Windass' deadly finishing in training
Windass said he had not spoke to Gerrard after the abrupt departure until a few months after during the January transfer window and the Liverpool legend was fuming.
Windass says the club looked to bring him back on loan.
But a move never materialised as he claimed the Wigan manager at the time Paul Cook would not sanction a deal.
"We had a zoom call about six months later because I was going to go back on loan," he said.
"Gerrard basically gave me what for. He told me everything that was wrong with me and how I can improve and stuff as a person.
"He said if we are going to bring you back we need to have an honest conversation.
"I never went back anyway and that was it.
"It's ages ago now, so I'm not that bothered by it.
"But for two years after, I thought about it every day until I signed in for Sheffield Wednesday."
Gerrard is favourite to return to the Ibrox dugout and be the next Rangers manager but it is believed he faces competition from Russell Martin.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page