Garner promises a stronger show for next Old Firm clash

JOE GARNER reckons Rangers will be a much stronger and more cohesive side when they come to face Celtic again on Hogmanay.

Garner marked his first start for the club with a derby goal at Parkhead last weekend but his header just before half-time was barely worthy of consolation status as Brendan Rodgers’ team chalked up a 5-1 victory.

The fall-out from the defeat has been painful, with boss Mark Warburton sensitive to what he described as ‘poisonous’ and ‘negative’ media coverage and midfielder Joey Barton ordered to stay away from the club’s training ground after altercations with both team-mate Andy Halliday and his manager.

Garner (right) refuses to comment on matters he believes should have remained ‘in-house’ but the striker does promise the club’s supporters that there will be marked improvement from Rangers by the time the next derby rolls round.

‘Once the lads know each other’s strengths and weaknesses we will be a better team,’ said the £1.8million signing. ‘With new faces in the dressing-room, it’s about personalities, too.

‘We need to learn how each other plays, the runs we like to make, so it’s going to take a bit of time. ‘The manager knows that too but we work really hard on the training ground. For me personally, I think it’s only a matter of time before it all clicks. ‘We have to recognise that we can’t let Celtic get too far ahead and we will do all we can to get as many points as we can and make it as tough for them as possible. The next one is at Ibrox and we will be a better team.’ He continued: ‘We spoke about it Monday and Tuesday — but exactly what was said is best left in-house. ‘We have to improve on the performance. I think we were all right in spells. We went in at half-time with our tails up and for 15-20 minutes after that we did well. Barrie McKay had a chance and, if that had gone in, it is a different game. ‘We thought it may have been different but they got their third goal. ‘I haven’t experienced an atmosphere like that before. It was a great atmosphere. ‘It’s some place and it’s unfortunate we couldn’t get the result.’