JOE GARNER can’t wait to sample the Old Firm atmosphere as he looks to hit the ground running at Ibrox this term.
And the 28-year-old insists he has no fears about his bustling style costing him dear when he makes his derby bow next month.
Garner could make his first appearance for Mark Warburton’s side against Kilmarnock tonight after clinching a move from Preston.
But the Celtic showdown already has a significant lure for the striker as he bids to become a key part of the Light Blues’ attack in the Premiership.
Garner said: "Since Rangers' interest came out, my phone hasn't stopped ringing with people asking for tickets [for the Celtic game].
"There is a big buzz about the city over the game and it's a worldwide fixture really. I'm, buzzing to be part of it.
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"I have never been to one but I did watch a few on TV. I've heard about the atmosphere and I just want to embrace it.
"Will my style suit the derby? We'll soon see.
“It’s a massive game and all the lads in there are looking forward to it but we have Kilmarnock on Friday and most of the concentration in there is going on that at the minute.”
Former Lillywhites star Kevin Davies backed Garner to thrive in the Old Firm cauldron in an exclusive interview with SportTimes last week.
The striker picked up 22 yellow cards and one red in his last two campaigns south of the border and was a firm favourite with the Deepdale crowd.
But Garner insists his high caution rate was down to the all-action approach boss Simon Grayson drilled into his North End squad.
He said: “Misunderstood could be the word. The way we played last year was part of it.
“In League One we had a lot of the ball and created a lot of chances.
“Coming up into the Championship then as the promoted team we had our own style of play to stay in there.
“We finished 11th in the league so it was a good year for us all. The gaffer had a way of setting up and that was his way of playing.
“I give as much as I get and I look forward to that.
“We pressed high (at Preston) and tried not to let the other team out by playing that high press.
“They year before at Preston was like that and we have 70 to 80 per cent of possession.
“The manager knows my strengths and weaknesses and I’ll work on my weakness in training and develop my strengths.”
The £1.5million fee paid for Garner represents the biggest single spend of the Warburton era as the Ibrox boss made his tenth signing of the summer at the weekend.
The Englishman will compete with Martyn Waghorn, Kenny Miller and Joe Dodoo for a central striking berth in the coming months.
And he is confident he can play his part for the Gers as he looks to fire Warburton’s side to the Premiership title this term.
Garner said: "I spoke to the gaffer and he knows my strengths and weaknesses.
"It's down to him really. The front three at Rangers rotate and move about, and the gaffer will know what's best.
"Maybe something like that (the fox in the box). We have a lot of talented players and we have a lot of the ball.
"The team creates a lot of chances and hopefully I can get in the box and get a few goals.
"I've had a few training sessions now and I am available but the lads have done well.
"It would be good to get a game in but that's down the gaffer and I will roll with it.”
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