Gardner Looking To Repay The Fans

On loan Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner has said he’s looking to repay the Forest fans for their support of him during his previous loan spell at the club.

The 23 year old was on loan with us in the second half of the 2014-15 campaign, taking in 16 starts and two appearances from the substitutes bench. In that time he scored four goals and having again suffered with injuries on his return to his parent club over the summer, he headed back out to us earlier this month and Dougie Freedman was pleased to have him.

Speaking himself with appearances against Queens Park Rangers, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers now under his belt as he re-finds his feet at the City Ground, Gardner told the Official Forest Site that again being here until the end of the campaign, he wants to show the fans just what their support meant to him.

Especially the tweets he received from fans following his return to Villa and subsequent injuries.

‘I couldn`t thank the fans enough. Even when I was back at Villa they were wishing me luck. I want to give everything I can for them. The fans are very passionate and that`s the type of lad I am. Hopefully I can pay them back by giving good performances and getting as many wins as possible. The gaffer and chairman know what sort of lad I am. Before I came here I was training hard and they know I look after my body. They knew what they were getting and I can`t thank them enough for getting me back in.’

Having completed his first 90 minutes since his return against Bolton, Gardner is obviously hoping to get another full run out against table topping Middlesbrough this weekend and he wouldn’t mind another win either – but he knows it’ll be difficult.

‘We`re going to have to travel up there and be on top form. They`re a top team but we`ve got a lot of ability here. It`s going to take a top performance to beat them. But Middlesbrough are capable of being turned over. Bristol City have just beaten them so we`ll go there, give everything and hopefully get the three points.’