GARNER GEARED FOR GERS GO-AHEAD

RANGERS striker Joe Garner is making progress as he aims to recover from a shoulder injury.

The £1.8million buy from Preston in the summer was stretchered off in the early stages of the 2-1 defeat from Celtic at Ibrox on Hogmanay after landing awkwardly following a collision with Erik Sviatchenko.

There were fears that Garner could face a lengthy spell out of action, but the injury has proved not to be as bad as initially suspected.Mark Warburton’s squad head for Fir Park tomorrow afternoon aiming to record successive wins over Mark McGhee’s Motherwell after their Scottish Cup success last weekend.

Garner will once again miss out, but boss Warburton is confident he will be back on the park sooner rather than later.

He said: “Joe Garner trained on Thursday morning. He was told non-contact.

“Joe Garner non-contact is you and I smashing around in suits of armour.

“We had to try and hold him back a little bit – and he took out two of the players!

“He’s wearing a shoulder brace and will probably be back to full contact on Monday and I’m sure he’ll be available for the following game.

“I’m not a medical expert, but the simple fact is if there is too much damage in there the threat is it comes out again regularly, so I’m pleased the specialist is happy.

“There is a weakness there, but Joe, being the way he is, it might take something special to pop it out again.

“It might be a game early, it might not. He certainly could be at Tynecastle and likewise the games on from there.

“It is pleasing to see him back. He is a quick healer and a good pro.”