JOSH WINDASS believes Kenny Miller’s professionalism has shone through after he fired Rangers to victory over Hearts on Saturday.

The striker returned to the first team fold at BT Murrayfield and produced a match-winning performance following four weeks out of action.

Miller was dropped by former boss Pedro Caixinha in the aftermath of the Old Firm defeat to Celtic last month but played a key role against the Jambos.

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Midfielder Windass rounded off the scoring after Miller hit a brace either side of the interval and was pleased to see the 37-year-old leading the way once again.

He said: “Obviously he played well, scored two and got an assist so you can’t really ask for any more.

“Yes [Kenny is a leader]. There’s a few in that dressing room but Kenny has that experience. He’s a legend at this club and the lads look up to him.

“Who knows [if it would have been different if Kenny had played against Motherwell]? If I had scored my chances we’d have won the game etc. But he played really well today and it’s good to see.

“He’s just been the same. He’s been training with us every day and nothing changed in terms of routine.

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“He could have easily downed tools, I guess, but he kept professional, kept training hard and he showed his fitness by playing 80-odd minutes.”

Victory in the Capital moved Rangers back into third spot in the Premiership standings as they began life after Caixinha with an impressive away win.

The Gers are six points adrift of Celtic and five behind Aberdeen in the standings and Windass knows the Ibrox squad must strive for further improvements this term.

He said: “It will give us a bit of confidence. Hearts are one of the top teams in the division. So it’s a good boost for us to come here and win quite convincingly.

“Who knows [where Rangers should be in the league]? Celtic are obviously playing really good football at the moment.

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“They are still unbeaten, which is an unbelievable achievement, but hopefully we can push as high as we can and who knows where we can get to.

“No [we are not undervalued in the league at the moment], because our performances haven’t been good enough. We haven’t played anywhere near to our capabilities and the performances and results have proved that.

“We are not getting ahead of ourselves. We know we don’t have a right to be top of the league. We’ve got to earn it.”

It was to prove a day to remember for interim boss Murty as he led his side to a deserved win less than 48 hours after was asked to step into the dugout for a second time.

The 42-year-old saw his side produce one of their best performances of the campaign as they recovered from going behind to a Kyle Lafferty free-kick to earn a deserved three points.

Windass said: “I don’t think it was a statement but there was a bit of character from the lads to come back from what was a wonder goal, to be fair.

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“I thought we were in control in the first half and the goal set us back, put us under the cosh for 15, 20 minutes but we came through it.

“He (Murty) has not changed much but he asked us to go out with as much energy and enthusiasm as we can and try to play our best.”

It was Miller that grabbed the headlines as he assumed the captain’s armband and led from the front with two crucial goals.

But Windass was also delighted to get back on the scoresheet after coming in for criticism from supporters this term.

He said: “I was angry. I’ve missed a few chances in the last few games.

“I think my performances have been reasonably good but it gets tarnished when you miss a few chances, important chances. I tried not to let it get me and obviously the goal has done me the world of good.”