Rangers new boy Joe Garner was ‘ineffective’ on Sunday, according to pundit Michael Stewart.
Rangers’ Joe Garner celebrates
Pundit Michael Stewart has told BBC Sport’s Sportscene that he felt Joe Garner was ‘ineffective’ during Rangers’ 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen on Sunday.
Rangers lost for the second time in the league this season as they slipped to defeat against Aberdeen at Pittodrie – another blow after losing to Celtic earlier this month.
Rangers’ Joe Garner celebrates
The Gers fell behind when Jonny Hayes ran through before sliding the ball past Wes Foderingham, but Andy Halliday’s penalty drew Rangers level after Lee Wallace had been fouled inside the area.
However, there was a sting in the tail as James Maddison whipped a superb free kick into the net to grab a last-minute winner for the Dons after James Tavernier was controversially adjudged to have fouled Hayes.
The pressure is on manager Mark Warburton after the result, but striker Joe Garner has also come in for criticism following the Aberdeen game.
Joe Garner in action for Preston North End
The 28-year-old striker was signed from Preston North End back in August, with Rangers forking out £1.5m to sign the forward (STV), who hit just six Championship goals last season.
So far, Garner has scored once – Rangers’ goal in the 5-1 defeat to Celtic – in four appearances, and his antics appear to have frustrated many.
At Preston, Garner was known for being a pest; a player who would bend the rules to win free kicks for his side and play right on the edge in a bid to wind up opposition defenders.
Joe Garner in action with Preston North End
It seems that Garner is doing the same thing at Rangers, but his act hasn’t impressed former Rangers youngster and current pundit Michael Stewart.
Stewart told BBC Sport’s Sportscene earlier this week that he felt Garner was ‘ineffective’ against Aberdeen and spent too much time trying to win fouls, whereas his replacement Kenny Miller made an instant impact by playing a part in winning the penalty.
“It was a fantastic bit of play from Kenny, but Joe Garner spent most of the game jumping into people, trying to get fouls,” said Stewart. “He was ineffective! Kenny Miller comes on, and he makes an instant impact straight away.”
Garner is still bedding in to the Rangers side, and has already shown fans what he can do with his goal against Celtic. His antics can be aggravating at times, and these are frustrating times for Rangers on the whole, but his performances for Preston suggest that Rangers still have a striker they can build around in Garner.
What did you think of Garner’s display against Aberdeen?
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