JOE Garner couldn't care less what his critics say - so long as Rangers keep winning.
The club's £1.8m summer signing, who received a rapturous reception from the Ibrox supporters after being substituted late on during the club's 2-0 win against Hearts on Saturday, was said recently by Sky Sports pundit Neil McCann to be a man in the 'wrong movie', a comment which drew a stinging response from Garner's manager Mark Warburton.
While Garner would have been happier had he managed to add to his tally of three goals in 15 first-team appearances this season against the Tynecastle side, he said last night that he appreciated the ovation and would continue to give everything he has for the cause.
For all the alarm bells that were ringing after the club's 2-0 defeat at Tynecastle, back-to-back home wins against their rivals for second place see them sitting four points clear of Aberdeen.
“To be fair, I don’t really take much notice of it all," said Garner. “It’s one of those things, everyone’s got their own opinions. I just go out there on a Saturday and give all I have for the shirt. I let everyone else do their jobs, and I do mine. While we’re picking up three points then not many people will be saying too much.
"I appreciated the ovation as I was coming off," he added. "Obviously, I’ve worked hard and the lads have picked up the three points, which is the main thing. I’d love to have scored a couple of goals, but if I keep working hard then I’m sure they’ll come.”
Garner, who as usual spent his day battling central defenders, did rack up his fifth booking of the season for an aerial tussle with Hearts captain Perry Kitchen. He said he was getting to know each of them personally, but Rangers generally matched a physical Hearts side which had overrun them at Tynecastle.
"I’ve got a good relationship with most of them now, I keep seeing them most weeks and we have a bit of a laugh and a joke out there," said Garner. "I wouldn’t stand here and give them any grief because I know how hard it is for them."
"I don’t mind getting into battles with defenders," he added. "I will give as much as I get and look forward to it. We played Hearts away and they tried to make it a physical game but I think we matched them here. We have got some really talented footballers out there so I try and bring something a little bit different to the team and hopefully let the young lads run riot. The likes of Baz [Barrie McKay], Holty [Jason Holt] and Josh [Windass], when he’s playing, are very good footballers and if I can help in anyway then I will."
The suspicion that Rangers have turned the corner will crystallise further if the club can win a third successive league match for the first time this season when they visit draw specialists Hamilton on Friday night. "We will go through this game to look at it and then I am sure the gaffer will set us up the way he wants us to play on Friday night," said Garner. "Obviously we need to start picking up points away and I am sure we will do that. It might take time but we look forward to the next game."
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