Carlisle United boss: Why Joe Garner jumped at the chance to sign

The striker rejoined the Blues today for a fourth spell having left Fleetwood Town.

Garner’s move has been greeted positively by fans who hold the frontman in high regard from his previous stints at Brunton Park.

Simpson hopes the striker will add his experience, know-how and quality to Carlisle’s attack for the second half of the season.

The manager – who is set to include Garner in his squad for Saturday’s trip to Bradford City – says the 34-year-old needed little persuading to return to Cumbria.

“It’s taken a lot of time, because he needed to get his Fleetwood end sorted, which eventually he did,” said Simpson.

“But from the first conversation we had – Greg Abbott [United’s head of recruitment] had the first conversation with his agent – it was pretty clear that Joe really fancied the opportunity to come back here, and be a part of something.

READ MORE: Why Garner was right to come back to Carlisle United one last time

“He was always ready for it. He knew he needed a new challenge. He knew he wasn’t getting a lot of minutes at Fleetwood.

“I’ve explained the role I want him to come into here, and he’s jumped at the opportunity.

“I’m really pleased to get it finalised this week. I’d hoped he would be here last week but we’ve had to be patient.

“There has been a lot of conversations, phonecalls, little bits of negotiation, but we’re there now. I think he’s a really good addition to the group.”

Garner signed an 18-month deal with the Blues today (Image: Amy Nixon / CUFC)

Garner, who has signed an 18-month deal, rejoins a club for whom he played in 2006/7, 2007/8 and 2012/13.

Simpson feels the fact United are competing at the top end of League Two was also a key selling point to the ex-Rangers and Preston North End favourite.

“I think it’s the reward for what we’ve done so far in terms of the season,” the manager said.

“He’s looked at it and fancied the challenge.

“Same as JK Gordon – he looked at it and wanted to come to a team that are fighting at the top end of the table. Alfie McCalmont said he was looking forward to coming to a club that was fighting at the right end rather than scrapping for relegation like he did at Oldham and Morecambe.

“Joe has been there and seen promotions and relegations, I’m quite sure, in his career, so he’s coming to join us and hopefully help us get over the line.”

Simpson believes Garner’s know-how can be a vital component as United bid to make the most of their opportunity in League Two this season.

“It’s the experience that he’s been involved in this type of situation before,” he said. “He knows how to demand the best out of team-mates, how to unsettle defenders, he knows how to work with referees and get free-kicks and decisions going his way.

“We’ve just got to manage him so he stays on a really calm level and doesn’t go over the edge.

READ MORE: Watch Garner's brilliant early goals for the Blues 

“I’m looking forward to him being involved. I think he’s a really good addition to the squad.”

Garner trained with United’s squad today and Simpson says he can already see the impact the striker will have.

“I can just see in training today his experience that he brings to it,” said Simpson. “It’s given everybody a lift.

“I think all the new signings have done that – they’ve all added an extra edge to training, the levels have gone up in the quality, the competition level’s gone up,” said the Blues boss.

“Everybody now knows there are people waiting, ready to come into the team, because people are ready to go and grab that shirt.

“If Joe starts the game, there’s going to be players disappointed to be left out of that starting XI waiting to come on and make an impact.

“If he’s on the bench, what an option to have behind us there that, if things aren’t quite going right, or if we need to freshen it up, we’ve got somebody like that.

“When I was looking at the bench last weekend I thought it was strong. Hopefully it will get stronger as we keep going on.”