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Gary McSwegan shares what Championship scout told him about Rangers summer signing Joe Garner

Rangers' Joe Garner celebrates (REUTERS)
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Rangers striker Joe Garner has scored twice in his last two games.

Former Rangers striker Gary McSwegan has told the Glasgow Evening Times that Preston scout Ian Miller offered him some insight about striker Joe Garner.

Garner, 28, left boyhood club Preston over the summer, as after scoring 57 goals in 151 games for the Lilywhites, Rangers swooped in to land him.

Gers manager Mark Warburton was desperate to land a centre forward during the summer transfer window, and it’s clear that he was particularly keen on Garner, having agreed to pay £1.5m in two instalments for the player, as reported by STV.

Rangers' Joe Garner celebratesRangers’ Joe Garner celebrates

Garner made a slow start to life at Ibrox, scoring just once – the consolation in the 5-1 defeat to Celtic – in his first seven games for the club, with some fans left wondering why Rangers spent so much on him.

However, Garner is now starting to show his worth. With two goals in his last two games, Garner is beginning to hit form, and Rangers will be hoping that he can continue to find the net throughout the season.

General view outside the stadium before the matchGeneral view outside Ibrox

Ahead of this weekend’s game with Ross County, former Rangers striker Gary McSwegan has commented on Garner’s recent upturn in form.

McSwegan has worked closely with Preston’s scouting department over the last year, and revealed to the Glasgow Evening Times that North End scout Ian Miller told him that Rangers fans will ‘absolutely love’ Garner.

McSwegan also suggested that it’s difficult moving to a new club and new country, but the standing ovation he received against Kilmarnock on Saturday will do his confidence the world of good.

Joe Garner celebrates scoring the first goal for Preston North End from the penalty spotJoe Garner celebrates scoring for Preston North End

“I saw Joe a couple of times at Preston and have spoken at length to people at Preston regarding him,” said McSwegan. “Ian loves him to bits. When it was confirmed that he was coming up here to Rangers he said to me: ‘The crowd will absolutely love him up there’. Ian said he was a hard-working boy, would graft hard, battle for the ball and never give up on anything.””

“It’s not easy moving to a new club, especially one as big as Rangers. It takes a while to get into it. It will have been something of a culture shock to him. Moving to a different country is always hard. But he got a standing ovation when he came off on Saturday. That reception, and his goal and performance, will do his confidence the world of good,” he added.

What did you think of Garner’s performance against Kilmarnock?