BRING ON THE ROUGH STUFF
Garner’s challenge to defenders after he helps Rangers outmuscle Hearts
IBROX rose almost as one, sustained applause echoing around the stadium. The focus of this high-decibel acclaim was not a goalscorer, nor even confirmation via the final whistle of a comprehensive and valuable victory.
Instead, it was in response to the No 7 being lit up on the fourth official’s board. Joe Garner made his way across the pitch to the technical area, shaking hands with replacement Joe Dodoo and acknowledging the fulsome ovation.
Closing down an attempted clearance by Jack Hamilton was the closest he had come to finding the net during an 88-minute shift. Home fans, though, were responding to the way their £1.8million striker had taken the fight to Hearts. Quite literally at times.
In contact with opponents almost as often as the ball, the 28-year-old was a relentless whirlwind of aggression. A booking for catching Perry Kitchen in an aerial challenge means yellow cards now outnumber his goals for Rangers by four to three.
But, just as against Aberdeen, Garner also provided a valuable focal point for Mark Warburton’s side, enabling them to be direct when required.
Only 5ft 9in in his slippers, he won several headers against the odds, springing above Igor Rossi and John Souttar. His fire wasn’t always matched by finesse, but the effort was clearly appreciated.
Just ten days previously, Rangers had been over-run by Hearts at Tynecastle. The reverse was true here. Following all the debate surrounding his appointment, Ian Cathro’s managerial debut ended in a disappointing defeat.
In contrast, Warburton was able to gather plenty of positives. Back-to-back successes over rivals for second place suggest his side are developing a tougher edge. Tweaking Plan A is beginning to deliver substantial rewards.
Those adaptations may also allow Garner to further rise in supporters’ affections after a tricky start to life in Glasgow.
The former Preston player is adamant that scoring, rather than scrapping, is his primary aim. But he is unlikely to be taking a backward step any time soon.
Asked if he liked getting into battles with defenders, Garner said: ‘I don’t mind it. I will give as much as I get — and look forward to it.
‘But we have got some really talented footballers out there. I try to bring something a little bit different to the team and hopefully let the young lads run riot.
‘You see the likes of Barrie McKay, Jason Holt and Josh Windass, when he’s playing. They are very good footballers and, if I can help in any way, then I will.
‘Is upsetting centre-halves my aim? Not really. I just try to score goals, that’s what I’ve been brought here to do. Hopefully, I can keep working hard and the goals will come.
‘When we played Hearts away, they tried to make it a physical game. I think we matched them here. But we’re a good side, we’ve got some very good young players.
‘I thought Barrie was exceptional on the wing and we stood up to them. I felt that we deserved the three points.
‘I appreciated the ovation as I was coming off, but the points were massive, as well. The lads are buzzing. All the players and staff go home happy, the fans go home happy — and we now move on to Friday against Hamilton.’
As for his latest booking, Garner didn’t offer any complaints after Kitchen had to leave the field to have a bloodied nose cleaned up.
‘It’s a tough job for all referees,’ said Garner. ‘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. It’s just one of those things.’
Time will tell, but the Tynecastle defeat may prove to be a watershed for Rangers. Clearing the air in the wake of that limp 2-0 defeat seems to have enabled a more cohesive unit to be formed, free of an allergy to longer passes and swift switches of play.
‘The gaffer went through that game and told us what he expected from us,’ reflected Garner. ‘It could be a turning point. We have won the last two games, but we will see now going forward.
‘I think we have mixed it up well. We have played when it is on to play and turned teams when they have pressed us. We have picked up six points from our last two games, so we are looking to really crack on now.’
As Garner identified, McKay was the outstanding performer. The 21-year-old winger has looked drained of confidence at times this term. Here, he was revitalised. His gliding runs and creative passing frequently caught the eye.
Rangers had looked the more domineering side from the start, but it was Hearts who thought they had scored first.
Don Cowie had been celebrating the final touch on Callum Paterson’s drive across goal for several seconds before the assistant referee raised an offside flag. Weirdly, the delay mirrored Dodoo’s disallowed goal for Rangers at Tynecastle.
Hearts were left to bemoan that controversial call, insisting the officials got it wrong. But their threat soon dissipated. And they were behind after 29 minutes.
Paterson fouled McKay, conceding a free-kick that was delivered by James Tavernier, recalled in a central midfield role. Rob Kiernan rose amid a crowd of bodies and powerfully headed home. It was the centre-half’s first-ever goal for the club.
Hearts keeper Hamilton was then relieved to see the ball bounce wide after being hustled down by Garner, before a celebratory mood returned to Ibrox six minutes into the second half.
A long throw from Lee Wallace was woefully defended by Hearts, finding its way to McKay at the far post. A swipe of his right foot was sufficient to claim a first goal since July.
McKay’s exquisite, deceiving through-ball then sent Martyn Waghorn clear. The substitute had plenty of time to compose himself and pick his spot, yet still took too long, eventually sending a shot against Hamilton.
Waghorn would then blaze another effort high over the bar when set up by McKay at the edge of the penalty area. It was a day, however, when Ibrox could forgive those flaws.