Josh Windass is officially on the market as of the end of this month and the possibility of a sensational return to Rangers has suddenly shifted from paper talk to something far more tangible.
Football Insider has confirmed that the 31-year-old has won his appeal to terminate his contract at Sheffield Wednesday, following months of turmoil at Hillsborough.
The fallout with under-fire owner Dejphon Chansiri, who has repeatedly failed to meet player wage obligations since April, triggered Windass’ right to walk away as a free agent after serving 15 days’ notice.
Now unattached and coming off a strong personal campaign in the Championship, 13 goals and five assists in 44 appearances, Windass is expected to be courted by a number of clubs in the coming weeks.
But among Rangers fans, the idea of bringing back the former Ibrox man has sparked immediate and intense debate.
A Polarising Figure
Windass’ time at Ibrox between 2016 and 2018 remains divisive.
Signed from Accrington Stanley under Mark Warburton, the forward often showed flashes of quality but never fully won over the Rangers support.
His 18-goal haul in the 2017-18 season, the club’s top scorer that year, demonstrated his attacking value, yet his perceived inconsistency, social media antics, and a controversial exit left a bitter taste.
His goal tally that year was also boosted by multiple goals against the likes of Fraserburgh and Ayr United in the Scottish cup.
When Steven Gerrard took over in the summer of 2018, Windass was quickly ushered out the door, reportedly due to disagreements over his role and valuation with the player believing himself to be better and more important than he was seen in the eyes of the Liverpool legend.
Many believed he overestimated his worth, especially in comparison to the new manager’s vision, and walked away from a club on the cusp of a new era.
His departure felt more like self-promotion than ambition, and it damaged his standing among large sections of the Ibrox faithful which had already taken a dive following his shooshing off the support in celebration of a goal at Firhill against Partick Thistle.
Now, under Russell Martin’s leadership, Rangers are looking to upgrade their attacking options, and Windass' free-agent status has reignited the conversation.
The Case For and Against
From a footballing standpoint, Windass remains an attractive option.
He’s versatile across the front line, boasts experience in high-pressure environments, and has matured tactically.
His output in a struggling Sheffield Wednesday side speaks volumes: 13 goals and five assists in the Championship, all while the club was plagued by off-field dysfunction.
Yet the emotional baggage from his first stint at Rangers cannot be ignored. For every fan who sees unfinished business and a potential redemption arc, there’s another who views a return as regressive.
Windass' behaviour during and his previous spell, whether it was cryptic tweets, a perceived attitude problem, or the nature of his departure, continues to divide opinion.
With Martin looking to foster unity and resilience in a squad tasked with halting Celtic’s domestic dominance, the last thing Rangers need is a polarising figure disrupting the dressing room culture.
However, he is a proven goalscorer both here and in the Championship, with the bravado and self belief needed to be a Ranger but at 31 it would go against the grain of Martin’s signings so far.
Verdict: Temptation or Trouble?
There is no suggestion, yet that Rangers have opened talks with Windass, but his availability on a free transfer and recent Championship form may tempt the Ibrox hierarchy, particularly if funds are being prioritised on other targets.
Whether Windass would welcome a return, or if Martin sees him as the right fit for his system, remains unclear.
But what is certain is that any move back to Glasgow would bring with it intense scrutiny, high expectations, and no shortage of drama.
If Russell Martin believes he can channel Windass' ability while managing his ego, it could prove a clever short-term solution. If not, it could reopen old wounds that never truly healed, either way Windass will need to prove his worth, and his maturity since departing to a support with large sections ready to see him fail from the off.