MARK WARBURTON, the Rangers manager, has labelled comments from former Ibrox winger Neil McCann as a ‘cheap shot’ after he criticised the performances of striker Joe Garner.
The Sky Sports pundit is less than impressed with Warburton’s summer signing policy after a lacklustre start to the campaign that leaves the Light Blues well off the pace being set by Celtic.
The form of Garner has come under the microscope in the first few months of his Gers career following his £1.8million switch from Preston. Garner has scored three times for Warburton’s side this term but has been part of a forward line that has struggled to hit the goal trail in recent weeks.
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McCann claimed that the 28-year-old was ‘in the wrong movie’ as he tried to adapt to the style of play Warburton has implemented at Ibrox. Garner could get the nod to lead the line against Hearts this evening and boss Warburton believes the forward should be given more to prove himself as he looks to get up to speed this season.
“‘If you want my honest opinion I’m disappointed when ex-players take cheap shots,” Warburton said. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But to look at it on such a micro level? Look at the bigger picture. How long has Joe been here? How many games has he played?
“I saw recently in a presentation that Andre Grey scored two goals in 10. By his own admission Andre, who I have so much respect for, that he wasn’t playing the best. Had Scott Hogan not been injured he might not have played a few games.
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“But he stayed and scored five in the next 10 games. Then four in the next 10. He ended up scoring 16 and leaving for £7million. But he scored two in 10 to begin with. At Brentford the focus was not quite so intense. Eventually he grew into a £30million striker, a magnificent player.
“Joe has been here such a short period of time and I was disappointed by cheap shots of that nature.”
After a lacklustre start to the season that saw them slip down the Premiership table, Rangers moved up to second spot in the standings with victory over Partick Thistle last weekend.
A trip to Tynecastle tonight is the first of three hugely significant games against Hearts and Aberdeen as Rangers look to give themselves breathing space in the battle to be best of the rest this term.
“I am accused of picking up on the negatives but we have won five out of seven, we are unbeaten in 32 games at home,” Warburton said. “I read about how our wretched home form continues with a 1-1 draw. We are unbeaten in 32. Nobody mentions those stats. I do get frustrated by it because I think the players deserve a bit more.
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“It is a tough place to go to, Partick. Other teams go to tough venues and win 1-0 and they have ground out a decent result. We have to use it. If it is a negative, use it and feed off of it.
"We are in a good position right now. Can we be more clinical in front of goal and get more rewards? Of course we can. But every team can get better.”
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