Josh Windass: Rangers boss Graeme Murty doubtful over my first goal

Josh Windass revealed Rangers boss Graeme Murty almost refused to play ball following his Hamilton hat-trick.

The Englishman - who this week signed a new Gers contract tying him to Ibrox until 2021 - extended his stunning hot streak to nine goals in five games as his side ran up a 5-3 Ladbrokes Premiership win at Accies.

But tough taskmaster Murty reckoned Windass should not have been credited with his first strike after Hamilton goalkeeper Gary Woods failed to deal with his powerful shot and fumbled the ball into his own net.

“I'm always going to claim it,” insisted Windass, who is now just one goal behind the Light Blues' top scorer Alfredo Morelos with 15 strikes this term.

“It was on target so as far as I'm concerned it's my goal.

“The manager wasn't so sure. He wasn't going to sign my ball although he did in the end.

“I'm delighted to get another hat-trick after scoring one against Fraserburgh recently. The last two goals were particularly enjoyable.

“They were two great set-ups from Jamie Murphy and Alfredo and they were easy finishes.

“That's nine from five now. It is a good record and hopefully I can keep carrying it on. It is difficult to keep scoring that many goals but I will give it a go.

“Getting a hat-trick was a nice way to celebrate getting a new contract but the most important thing was to win the game.

“I don't think we actually played well and against a better team we would have been punished.

“Hopefully, we will improve on that next week.”

Rangers cantered to victory at the SuperSeal Stadium but only after a thrill-a-minute first half.

Former Accies midfielder Greg Docherty's mistake gifted his old side the opener as his error was punished by Darren Lyon.

Morelos laid in Jamie Murphy for an instant response, though, while Windass then had Gers ahead when Woods blundered.

The hosts hit back again when David Templeton swept home after 22 minutes but Gers eventually took command, with Morelos and Windass putting them two-up at the break.

Windass claimed the match ball with his third after the break, leaving Dougie Imrie's late spot-kick as mere consolation for Hamilton.

Frustrated Accies boss Martin Canning's side have now lost five in a row and sit just two points above basement boys Ross County.

Canning said: “If someone had said to me before the game we would score three goals against Rangers I would have expected to take something from the game.

“But when you defend like we did today that makes it hard. Four of their five goals were avoidable.

“I have got sympathy for Woodsy, though, because he almost never makes mistakes.

“He has made so many saves this season and saved us so many times. Hopefully he puts it behind him and gets back on with it next week."

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