RANGERS have made a move to sign Accrington pair Matt Crooks and Josh Windass, according to Stanley's majority shareholder.
Andy Holt revealed on Twitter that he was aware Rangers had opened talks with the players, who both turn 22 this month.
In a series of tweets, which were retweeted on Accrington's official account, Holt said: "I have been informed today that rangers are talking to Josh and Crooksey about a move.
"This is unsolicited and is being done under FIFA international regs that I totally disagree with. You know as much as I do now. Come on Stanley."
Both players' deals expire in the summer and they are free to speak to other clubs about potential summer moves under freedom of contract, although they would be subject to compensation fees.
Windass was recently reported to be a target for Arsenal and has rejected a new contract offer from the League Two club.
Josh Windass
The Accrington midfielder comes from good stock as his dad is former Aberdeen striker Dean Windass. Like his old man he has an eye for goal, having netted 11 times for the League Two side this season.
Windass is now in his third season at Accrington after arriving on a free following a spell with non-league Harrogate Railway after leaving Huddersfield. His scoring knack has only been discovered recently as the youngster netted his first goal for the club back in February. Since then has been in deadly form, showing the kind of finishing prowess that endeared his dad to Dons fans .
Warburton will be glad to know Josh hasn’t shown any signs of the temper that landed his father in trouble with the SFA during his time at Pittodrie. Windass Snr was infamously sent off three times in a game at Dundee United in 1997 but Josh has only been booked three times in his entire career.
Josh’s deal with Accrington expires in the summer so he wouldn’t cost too much and dad Dean has already hinted that he will move in January . But Rangers could face competition for a man Stanley boss John Coleman rates in the £1million bracket.
Matt Crooks
The utility man’s career has plenty in common with Accrington team-mate Windass as they are both 21 and arrived at Stanley after a spell with Huddersfield. But Crooks is more concerned with stopping the opposition scoring rather than bulging the net himself as he has spent most of his days as a defender or defensive midfielder.
He certainly got a good grounding in the game, starting out in Manchester United’s famous academy before moving to Huddersfield and turning pro. He was so highly rated at Town that he was nominated for League One Apprentice of the Year, eventually missing out to Charlton's Jordan Cousins.
After loan spells with Halifax and Radcliffe Borough, Huddersfield boss Mark Robins decided to throw Crooks into the first team at the start last season. But his debut turned into a disaster as they lost 4-0 to Bournemouth and Robins was axed , with Crooks never playing for them again.
He bounced back during a loan spell with Accrington and eventually moved there permanently, impressing so much that boss Coleman tipped him to strike it rich in the game.
He said: “There are just a couple of things he could iron out, and he’d be a millionaire, because there are millionaires who haven’t got his talent or his physique.”
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