HE wasn’t a household name in Scotland and he didn’t come from a big club. Josh Windass has made his presence felt at Ibrox, though.

The midfielder put pen-to-paper on his Rangers deal in January as he signed up for a crack at the Premiership with team-mate Matt Crooks.

While he has endured a frustrating and injury-hit start to life in Light Blue, Windass has become a key part of Mark Warburton’s Gers plans.

Little was known about the 22-year-old when he made the move from Accrington Stanley but he has wasted little time in making an impact north of the border.

Read more: Exclusive: Charlie Miller says Rangers must prove they are on the right track for next season in push for Premiership second spot

He was one of the few silver linings in the dark clouds that hung over Ibrox in the aftermath of Old Firm defeat at Parkhead, while he has quickly become a favourite with fans this term.

A couple of niggling injuries have limited his time on the park but Windass has caught the eye during his 11 outings for Warburton’s side.

On Saturday, his removal from the action against Dundee prompted a chorus of boos as supporters voiced their displeasure at a surprising call from the Gers boss.

Had Harry Forrester not headed home a dramatic winner with just seconds to spare, Warburton would have faced fiercer friendly fire for withdrawing the playmaker as his side chased a winner at Ibrox.

Read more: Exclusive: Charlie Miller says Rangers must prove they are on the right track for next season in push for Premiership second spot

Windass may have been an unheralded acquisition in the summer, but nine-in-a-row hero Charlie Miller reckons he has the potential to make a name for himself in Scottish football.

“In the games he has played so far, I think he has done well to be fair,” he told SportTimes.

“He has had a few injuries and that is unfortunate. Mark said after the game on Saturday that he was trying to build him up again and look after him.

“He didn’t take him off because he wasn’t playing well but he was OK after picking up a knock.

“He has made an impact so far and he is a different threat for Rangers. He gets on the ball and tries to make things happen, he gets forward and he likes a shot. He has done well but I think there is better to come from him.

“I understand the reaction from the fans because it was still goalless and he was one of the better players on the day.

“But Mark is looking after him and doing the right thing for the player. At the time, the fans were just looking for the winning goal and fortunately Forrester came up with a great header.

“The injuries will have been frustrating for him because you want to get a run of games and play 90 minutes every week.

“He will have been looking to make an even bigger impact than he has made but he is a good player and there is good potential there.”

It was at Huddersfield Town where Windass got his first footing in football but had to take a step backwards before he could stride forward and eventually end up at Ibrox.

He turned out for Harrogate Railway for a year as he re-established himself in the game and won a move to Stanley.

The prospect of going from League Two to the Premiership could have been a daunting one but Miller reckons the swagger and self-belief of dad Dean is evident in the way Windass Jnr plays the game.

“I think he gets that confidence from his dad,” he said. “He was a confident guy and he was a good football player as well.

“He is not fazed by it and you can’t afford to be coming to play for Rangers. It is a massive club but it can be a very difficult place to play when things aren’t going well.

“It has been a frustrating spell but some of the games have been good. The Kilmarnock game was good and they are going in the right direction.

“I think there is more to come from him and he will want to show that this season.

“He is a young boy and he will want to kick-on. If he can get a run of games then hopefully that will happen for him over the next few weeks.”

Windass was one of 11 players that arrived at Ibrox over the summer as Warburton prepared his squad for a shot at the Premiership title.

Read more: Exclusive: Charlie Miller says Rangers must prove they are on the right track for next season in push for Premiership second spot

But his aims have now shifted to the fight for second spot after a lacklustre start to the campaign that has seen Rangers fall well off the pace being set by Celtic.

The Englishman faced a battle for a starting jersey at first but injuries to Crooks, Jordan Rossiter and Niko Kranjcar and the culmination of the Joey Barton saga have given him a chance to shine.

Miller said: “It was unfortunate how the Barton situation ended up and Kranjcar has been unlucky with his injury. But it has given (Andy) Halliday, (Jason) Holt and Windass a chance to play together.

“If they can keep them fit then I think they could have a great second half of the season.

“I thought against Ross County they looked a bit jaded and maybe they needed the break but those three half the jerseys so let them play and see how far they go.”