Ready to complain having missed starter (4)
I believe the answer is:
ripe
'ready' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'complain having missed starter' is the wordplay.
'complain' becomes 'gripe' (griping is a kind of complaining).
'having missed starter' means to remove the first letter.
'gripe' with its initial letter taken away is 'RIPE'.
'to' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ripe that I've seen before include "Mature, ready to eat" , "Mellow" , "At fruition" , "Seasoned, fully grown" , "'Fully grown, ready to be eaten (4)'" .)