Lorenzo Amoruso sold new signing Joe Garner on Rangers move
Tuesday 23 August 2016 15:25, UK
Joe Garner says he was sold on a move to Rangers by memories of former Ibrox defender Lorenzo Amoruso discussing his time in Glasgow.
The forward's £1.5m switch from Preston was confirmed on Saturday when he became Mark Warburton's 10th recruit of the summer transfer window.
Garner has revealed he decided on a future in Scottish football after being told about the club when he was a teenager at Blackburn and had Italian Amoruso as a team-mate.
The 28-year-old - who has signed a deal until 2019 - told RangersTV: "You've seen some massive stars up here.
"When I was a kid at Blackburn, Lorenzo Amoruso came down from Rangers and didn't shut up about what it was like when he was here.
"I have memories of that and now I'm just really looking forward to getting involved and playing my part here.
"It was a couple of weeks ago now I first heard about the interest from Rangers and once I spoke to the manager here and heard his ideas, I knew there was only one place I wanted to go.
"The possibility of winning trophies and medals - as well as playing in front of massive crowds every week - really made me want to be a part of things."
Another of Rangers' summer additions, Matt Crooks, will finally play for the club in an U20 game against St Mirren on Tuesday night.
The former Accrington midfielder has been out since March with an ankle injury which required surgery but he is now fit again.
He said: "The first two days I trained I was terrible but I am enjoying it now and it is just nice to be back playing football.
"I am back training properly so it's all positive. It took me a couple of days to get going and find my touch again but I feel like I am getting there.
"It's not been a great time. I've not really trained at all and coming to a new club you just want to get started and get straight into it and make a good impression.
"It has been tougher than I expected but you just have to get on with it because there is nothing you can do about it. You just have to be positive, come in and do your best and see where it takes you."
