Ibrox boss Mark Warburton hails the Glasgow Rangers striker.
Mark Warburton has told Rangers’ official website that under-fire Joe Garner was “excellent” in Saturday’s win over Aberdeen following the “nonsense” that had been written about him.
The 28-year-old’s performances have come under scrutiny in recent weeks after going five matches without a goal.
The former Preston hitman, who has netted three times in 13 Scottish Premiership appearances, joined Rangers in August for around £1.5 million.
Ex-Rangers man Neil McCann openly criticised him last week and Warburton was quick to rubbish the Sky Sports pundit’s comments.
And the Gers boss has once again defended his man, claiming that he was very impressive in Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Dons at Ibrox – Kenny Miller and Lee Hodson did the damage for the hosts on that day.
“Joe Garner I thought was excellent on Saturday, he gave us an aerial outlet as well, won a number of first balls, showed his physicality, his presence and the dynamism of his movements,” he told the club’s website.
“The nonsense that is written about Joe Garner, I haven’t got to defend him, how am I going to defend him? He scored three goals in six games but he is coming in finding his feet, finding out what it means to play for a club of this stature. He is an experienced pro and I have no doubts about him.
“I am delighted for him and was delighted our crowd could see what Joe is all about; he has a first class work ethic and desire.”
Garner has done okay but the Glasgow giants’ really need a 25-goal-a-season striker if they are to challenge Celtic in the coming years.
It’s too late this season, with Brendan Rodgers’s side – who have three games in hand – already eight points ahead of second-placed Rangers, but going forward that must be the goal for Warburton.
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