Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that he tried to sign new striker Joe Garner from Preston prior to his move to Rangers last summer, as TWTD reported earlier this month. The Blues completed a £1 million deal to bring the 29-year-old back to England earlier this month.

“We’ve been watching him for quite a while because we tried to sign him before, before he went to Rangers,” McCarthy said.

“He’s always been on our radar. I thought it was a great move for him when he went to Rangers, despite my Celtic connections.

“But it’s not particularly worked out for him that one, they’ve had trouble and a new manager’s come in and he’s been made available and I’m delighted to get him.”

As mentioned by new team-mate Jordan Spence earlier this afternoon, Garner has a reputation for being a feisty competitor.

“That is one of the reasons why I brought him in,” McCarthy added. “Bearing in mind I played centre-half for a long time, I didn’t mind playing against players who fancied a scrap, but they’re the ones that every time you turn out you know what you’re going to get - it’s going to be a physical encounter and you’re not going to be left alone.

“I’m not just talking about the physical side, but the running in channels, sticking the ball, fighting you. Joe’s got that in abundance and he’s got goals in him and I’m delighted we’ve got him.”

In addition to Garner and Manchester City youngster Bersant Celina, who is close to completing a season-long loan switch, McCarthy is pleased to have re-signed Spence on a two-year deal, the right-back’s short-term contract having expired.

“Jordan was excellent I thought when he came back in the window at Christmas last season,” he added.

Photo: ITFC

ArnieM added 18:30 - Jun 26 Dare I say it? Supa Mick ?..
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Mark added 18:41 - Jun 26 I hope Mick is right and that Garner becomes a super player for us. £1M is an awful lot of cash for a 29-year-old without a goal scoring record at this level, but it sounds like he brings a lot more than goals. Now to find a target man to go with him.
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WestSussexBlue added 20:29 - Jun 26 £1M in Today's market is peanuts for a player, Having said that if we can get 2 or 3 seasons out of Garner it'll be an even better deal.
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Ipswichbusiness added 20:35 - Jun 26 I bumped into a Newcastle fan in the pub recently. He didn't rate Murphy describing him as a "squad player" and suggesting that he would be out either on loan or a permanent deal. That sounds like an opportunity for us!
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blue75 added 07:59 - Jun 27 McCarthy makes it sound like joe's going to be chasing a lot of balls hopefully not as many long ones as last season.
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bucket99 added 11:20 - Jun 27 He might turn out to be like Alan Lee, who I always liked. He never gave defenders a minute's rest. I played alongside someone like that for a while, and I loved it because of all the loose balls and flick-ons I picked up in the final third as a result of all his bumping and barging. If Garner's like that, Didzy could be the one to benefit.
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Michael11 added 11:30 - Jun 27 Not sure I like the sound of “I'm not just talking about the physical side, but the running in channels, sticking the ball, fighting you." Got a feeling it'll be new personnel in the team but same old hoof ball into the channels rather than a footballing style.
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fussysnake added 12:11 - Jun 27 I really do hope he proves me wrong, but I just can't see him making an impact. I have a few Watford mates who all laughed at me when they found out he'd signed for us
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