Thursday was supposed to be a European night for Rangers FC after they hosted Maribor in the third qualifying round of the Europa League but the day ended on a very different tone.
On Thursday Rangers FC announced the departures of two of their key players from last season in the form of Declan John and Josh Windass.
Declan John joined Championship side Swansea City on a three-year-deal and by the time the fans were able to digest this bit of news, the Light Blues immediately revealed that Josh Windass had also left the club and is set to join Wigan Athletic.
#RangersFC can today confirm @windassjnr has joined @laticsofficial for an undisclosed fee.
📝 https://t.co/x4vaPd6o7L pic.twitter.com/7Y4S2RM1kj
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 9, 2018
Like John, Josh Windass has also signed a three-year deal with Wigan and according to STV reporter Raman Bhardwaj, the transfer fee is around £2.5 million including add-ons.
Told that Josh Windass is currently en route to Wigan to hold talks with the championship side. Understand Rangers have accepted a bid of 2.5m + add-ons. Wigan appear to have have stolen a march on Ipswich.
— Raman Bhardwaj (@ramanbhardwajTV) August 9, 2018
Reports of Josh Windass moving out of Ibrox had been circulating since Thursday morning and immediately fans had shown their discomfort about the attacking midfielder moving out of the club – especially after scoring 18 goals last season.
At one point it was being believed that Ipswich Town were favourites to land Windass but now that Wigan have secured the services of the 24-year-old the Gers fans are not too pleased with this bit of business from Steven Gerrard.
NOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/z4j4y9KU9I
— Rampant Ryan Jack 🏴🇧🇷🇺🇸 (@RampantRyanJack) August 9, 2018
Great news – well done @RangersFC shocking attitude, never Rangers standard !!!!!
— MM (@m44xxy) August 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/Do_The_Turtle/status/1027610211970940929
https://twitter.com/LockieA55/status/1027608392058200065
https://twitter.com/barryyswan/status/1027608264559808518
https://twitter.com/ftblgav/status/1027608528444383232
Windass joined Rangers on 1 July 2016, signing a four-year contract from League One side Accrington player and in his first season, the attacking midfielder managed to score only one goal in his 27 appearances.
But last season, the 24-year-old really showed what he is capable of ending the season on 18 goals from 41 matches.
Read: Rangers FC don’t really care about the departure of ‘this’ 23-year-old.
Read: ‘These’ two clubs will have a Rangers vs Celtic type battle in the Premier League according to Paul Merson.
Read: Both Celtic and Rangers fans react to Alfredo Morelos’ red card appeal.