Former Huddersfield Town pair Matt Crooks and Dean Windass will be ready for the fray North of the border when they join Glasgow Rangers this summer.
That’s the view of Accrington Stanley owner Andy Holt.
The Town academy products signed pre-contract agreements at Ibrox back in January.
Since then Rangers have sealed promotion back to Scotland’s top tier while Accrington lost out in the League II play-offs.
Midfielder Crooks and striker Windass, both 22, have thrived in East Lancashire after the disappointment of being released by Town.
Huddersfield-born Crooks left in early 2014 and signed a permanent deal at Accrington after playing there on loan.
A versatile operator who is currently recovering from an ankle operation, he made 53 appearances for the club, scoring eight times.
He played just one first-team match for Town – the 4-0 home defeat by AFC Bournemouth on the opening day of last season.
Windass, the son of former Hull City, Bradford City and Aberdeen striker Dean, has netted 17 times this season.
His overall Accrington statistics since he joined them after leaving Town without a first-team appearance to his name in the summer of 2013 are 23 goals in 87 games (66 starts).
Holt, who watched Accrington lose out to AFC Wimbledon in the play-off semi-finals, reckons Rangers have recruited well.
“Both Josh and Matt have been great for Accrington this season,” he said. “They are both fantastic kids as well as being great players and they have both done their very best.
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They are going to Rangers now and I am really delighted for them.
“I have no doubt they will both do very well as a result of their experiences here.”
Holt continued: ““Matt has got the ability to play in a lot of roles.
“In some games he is forceful, in some games he sits deep. It all depends what the manager’s tactics are. He’s a top player, it’s as simple as that.
“Josh is a different kind of player. He can pop up at any time and score you a goal.
“You can be watching a game thinking: ‘Josh is a bit quiet today!’ Two minutes later he has scored. He is always likely to get you something.
“They were both instrumental in the high league position we have secured this season.
“They have been important players for us in the league and have contributed a great deal to the team.
“They are both good lads off the park as well as good players on it and will fit in well at Rangers.”
