KEVIN DAVIES reckons Joe Garner will relish the chance to become an Old Firm hero in the opening weeks of his Rangers career as he closes in on a switch to Ibrox.

The Preston striker is poised to become the tenth signing of the summer for Gers boss Mark Warburton and is expected to put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal.

Garner could make his debut for Rangers against Motherwell this weekend as Warburton’s side seek to record back-to-back Premiership wins.

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The Gers will then face Kilmarnock before making the trip across Glasgow for the first derby showdown of the new campaign on Saturday, September 10.

And Davies has backed his former Deepdale strike partner to rise to the occasion as he looks to become an immediate hero to the Light Blue legions.

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He told SportTimes: “I think he will relish that game and he has certainly got a feistiness about him and the character to go into that game. They will probably need to calm him down at some point!

“He is a Preston boy and he loved playing for the club. When the crowd got behind him, that pushed him on even more so playing in that kind of atmosphere will really drive him on.

“He will put himself about with tackles, leave bits on defenders here and there. He has got everything in his locker.

“Had Rangers not been back in the top flight then I think it would have been a different story depending on the finances and that kind of thing.Glasgow Times: Preston North End's Joe Garner celebrates after he scores his sides second goal of the game from a penalty during the Sky Bet League One, Play Off Semi Final, Second Leg at Deepdale, Preston. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday May 10, 2015.

“Often with players it is about the financial package and what goes with that but you also look at the level of football and the games you will be playing in.

“He has got those games to look forward to and I am sure he will have one eye on Rangers doing well this season and pushing for that Champions League spot.

“That would be a pull for him but everyone knows the size of the club and they are back in the top flight. The big derby games would be an attraction for Joe.

“At 28, if he does well there then who knows what could happen? He might love it and stay there or there might be an opportunity to come back south of the border and play again.

“He is much travelled so I don’t think moving to Glasgow will faze him one bit.”

The capture of Garner is a significant boost for boss Warburton as he bids to add the finishing touches to his Ibrox squad for a shot at the Premiership title this term.

And Davies reckons the 53-year-old could bring out the best in Garner as the striker looks to hit the ground running in Scotland after appearing for seven different clubs south of the border.

He said: “When those conversations go on, the manager is a big factor for a player when you are looking to move clubs.

“Mark has a good reputation, he did unbelievably well at Brentford and he has done well with Rangers.

“I managed to catch a couple of games towards the end of last season and the work rate and style of play come into play when you look to make that decision.

“It is a big move for him and his family but he has moved around and he has had a few clubs in his career. It won’t trouble him at all going to Rangers.”