Popular Post Vision 16,680 Posted April 5, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 5, 2019 Rangers fans may have been operating under a cloud these last seven years, but Jermain Defoe is convinced brighter days are just around the corner. The former England frontman has committed his future to the club, even with two release clauses next season in his loan contract from parent club Bournemouth. Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard has spoken of his delight, recognising the value of his international team-mate on and off the field. Defoe, 36, is strictly teetotal but is determined to deliver the champagne days he reckons Rangers fans deserve for the backing of their club through its darkest years. He said: “Before the game against Hearts we turned up at the ground to get on the bus and all the fans were there. It was raining but they were there to get autographs. “I remember saying to one of the players, ‘It’s unbelievable. Can you imagine what it would be like if we could actually win the league?’ It is an incredible support and something that surprised me, to be honest. “We are lucky as players to have that backing. Why would you not want to be a part of that? We want to finish the season strongly and then look ahead to the next one. “I love coming into training everyday, even at my age. The boys are great. This is a massive club and I’ve already said I wouldn’t want to be in another dressing room. “We have some unbelievable players and I actually didn’t realise we had so many internationals until the last break. “I always knew about the history of Rangers, but you don’t actually appreciate how big the club is until you experience it for yourself. “The demands and the pressure are always there. You need to win every game and I love that. As players, that’s what you want. I thrive on it. In every game you want that fire in your belly.” Defoe has been a bit part performer since arriving on loan earlier this year and there are break clauses in his loan deal in the summer and January, reflecting the reality the bulk of his salary is still being picked up by the Premier League club. The form of Alfredo Morelos has left him cooling his heels on the bench but six goals from seven starts, including the opener against the Jambos, underlines he still has the potential to be prolific in the veteran stages of his career. Defoe added: “I go into every game believing I can score. I still have that edge, but I want the team to play well and win. To score is a bonus because, as forwards, that’s what you’re judged on. “It has been difficult, but you will always get moments when you are playing every game and then you find yourself out of the team. “But you keep your head down and you stay positive. I always train hard because you need to make sure you are ready when you’re called upon. “I don’t need to knock on the manager’s door. Maybe I would have done that when I was younger but now I wait for my chance and I don’t get too emotional because you need to be ready. “For me, joining Rangers has been good. I’ve had the opportunity to play against teams I have never played before – and to play against the top teams like celtic and the others. “It was important for me to have this experience and I don’t think we are too far off. I don’t think we are too far off at all. “If you look at the celtic game — and I know it’s gone – then we controlled part of the game with 10 men. Credit to the boys and that should give us confidence going into next season and I want to be a part of that.” Gerrard may have looked the part in a legends game for Liverpool last month, but he recently admitted at the age of 38 his hips no longer move the same way they did when he was in his playing pomp. Defoe may be only two years his junior, but his manager has paid tribute to the fitness regime that will allow the former Spurs star to play a more significant role next season, even if he can’t manage 40 games in a campaign. Gerrard said: “You are looking at a body that is defying the odds. Jermain has a young body and has never had a sip of alcohol in his life. “He is an educated player. He loves the game and you can speak to him around the clock about football. That tells you how he lives his life. “He has been impeccable around the training ground since he walked in. After training sessions, he is pulling Josh McPake and young Dapo Mebude and doing an extra 10 or 15 minutes with them from a coaching side. Steven Gerrard and Dapo Mebude “He is not being asked to do that. He actually wants to give back to these young, up and coming strikers. “That is gold-dust for us as a staff to have players like Jermain and Gareth McAuley around. His standards are at Rangers-level and that’s another reason we wanted to bring him in. “There are a lot of reasons why he maybe hasn’t had as much game time. Obviously, when Alfredo is scoring freely it is difficult because I do favour playing with the one up there. “But moving forward, if I get the right people around Jermain, he can do that job as a single number nine. Against Hearts, we didn’t play with wide men that might leave him isolated. “Other players maybe have to adapt when Jermain is in the team and we maybe have to tweak our style, because he is different to Alfredo and Laff. “But I have no doubt that if he shows what he did the other night then there will be more opportunities for him.” Class act, Looked very sharp on Wed. Refreshing, positive news after the shite that has been thrown at us lately. Escobar, Iggy666, HG5 and 5 others 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Williamson. 81,469 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Is there any other club in the world that so many players get surprised by in terms of fan base when they go to it gogzy, lerxst and surfsup2 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
j1mgg 3,766 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 He is someone I can see younger players taking advice from. Where was he getting the bus to? I sometimes wonder what heights I could of got to if I was tee total. theredhandofNewcastle, CharlieT, 2nd Flute and 1 other 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluenoz 30,287 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Positive approach. Defoe is growing on me. Maybe worth having him around next year. GlasgowRangersFC 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Leeds_Bear 8,062 Posted April 5, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 5, 2019 12 minutes ago, Vision said: He has been impeccable around the training ground since he walked in. After training sessions, he is pulling Josh McPake and young Dapo Mebude and doing an extra 10 or 15 minutes with them from a coaching side Fucking love this. Blueshoff, JC10, Kaydubya11 and 4 others 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackrfc95 4,255 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Looked very sharp the other night. He must of been some player 10 years ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ritchieshearercaldow 22,011 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Prefer players to do their talking on the pitch He had a good game on Wednesday, hopefully he carries that form into the next game. surfsup2, Bobby Hume, CoopsLaud and 1 other 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsden bear 2,376 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Cool wee guy. Will be a real positive influence for not just the younger players. 2nd Flute 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeds_Bear 8,062 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Just now, ritchieshearercaldow said: Prefer players to do their talking on the pitch He had a good game on Wednesday, hopefully he carries that form into the next game. Tbf, I think he has? He's pretty much always scored when called upon and in a system which doesn't suit him. Think over the next three games playing people a little narrower to him he'll grab a few more. GlasgowRangersFC, 2nd Flute, Blumhoilann and 1 other 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ritchieshearercaldow 22,011 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 1 minute ago, Leeds_Bear said: Tbf, I think he has? He's pretty much always scored when called upon and in a system which doesn't suit him. Think over the next three games playing people a little narrower to him he'll grab a few more. Hopefully Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackrfc95 4,255 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 3 minutes ago, ritchieshearercaldow said: Prefer players to do their talking on the pitch He had a good game on Wednesday, hopefully he carries that form into the next game. 5 league goals in 8 games I'd say is a pretty decent return considering most of those have been from the bench. cstamomusa 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
2nd Flute 14,036 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 12 minutes ago, j1mgg said: He is someone I can see younger players taking advice from. Where was he getting the bus to? I sometimes wonder what heights I could of got to if I was tee total. I'm feart of heights, so I wouldn't get anywhere if I was tee total terry739 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ritchieshearercaldow 22,011 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Just now, jackrfc95 said: 5 league goals in 8 games I'd say is a pretty decent return considering most of those have been from the bench. Admitted he hasn’t had a regular starting place but there has been a few games where he has been fairly anonymous when coming on. We’ll see how he gets on if he’s the first pick. BlueAvenger and Bobby Hume 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valance1690 3,794 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Good read & glad he's helping the younger players, can definitely benefit from that. As said before, the worry for me is that if he does well the rest of this season he becomes 1st pick next season if Morelos goes. If we get rid of him we need somebody who is first team quality & not a youngster or something and expect Defoe to be first choice with the new guy as backup, which is personally what I see happening. Bobby Hume 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smile 26,592 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 For minutes played he's has a very decent goalscoring record. LegendofCoop and Robmc1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtyard Bear 41,357 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 7 minutes ago, Valance1690 said: Good read & glad he's helping the younger players, can definitely benefit from that. As said before, the worry for me is that if he does well the rest of this season he becomes 1st pick next season if Morelos goes. If we get rid of him we need somebody who is first team quality & not a youngster or something and expect Defoe to be first choice with the new guy as backup, which is personally what I see happening. Can see that as well, punt Mo bring a young striker as back up play Defoe pocket the money from Mo. The scum win the league. Valance1690 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valance1690 3,794 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 1 minute ago, Courtyard Bear said: Can see that as well, punt Mo bring a young striker as back up play Defoe pocket the money from Mo. The scum win the league. Yep really wouldn't be surprised if that's the case. Hope we get the money to invest in the squad in some regard but I really don't expect a 5/6 million replacement for Morelos if he goes. Going to need to pull some right cracking signings out of nowhere, theres not 1 person we've been linked with who has given me any hope yet (albeit I know it's only April) Courtyard Bear 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prso's headband 34,990 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Mind when he was finished but lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluenoz 30,287 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 7 minutes ago, Prso's headband said: Mind when he was finished but lol. He is half the player he once was. His experience in passing on to youngsters is his biggest asset now. I've no doubt he can still score but he is no longer a 90 minute player every game. BlueAvenger 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prso's headband 34,990 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Just now, bluenoz said: He is half the player he once was. His experience in passing on to youngsters is his biggest asset now. I've no doubt he can still score but he is no longer a 90 minute player every game. Pretty sure he’s played a few 90 minute games. Don’t need him to be a 90 minute player when he’s scoring the goals in the little amount of mins he’s playing. We’re definitely not paying Jermain Defoe a good wage to kick about with youngsters Bobby Hume and jjbscotty12 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LV 568 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 1 minute ago, bluenoz said: He is half the player he once was. His experience in passing on to youngsters is his biggest asset now. I've no doubt he can still score but he is no longer a 90 minute player every game. Just like Souness with Wilkins, Francis pass on their experience and good practice as both were ahead of the times re diet, rest etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtyard Bear 41,357 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 10 minutes ago, Prso's headband said: Pretty sure he’s played a few 90 minute games. Don’t need him to be a 90 minute player when he’s scoring the goals in the little amount of mins he’s playing. We’re definitely not paying Jermain Defoe a good wage to kick about with youngsters You think he can play 90 mins a game in a 50+ game season?? bluenoz 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopCat 4,511 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Good article .... glad we have him at our club. He will score goals against anyone in our league - given the opportunity. Essandoh 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essandoh 21,103 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Class act. He’s only just got here and I already know I’ll be absolutely gutted when he leaves. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogzy 31,195 Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 14 minutes ago, Courtyard Bear said: You think he can play 90 mins a game in a 50+ game season?? Possibly, Davie Weir managed it and he was a few years older. Defoe keeps himself in immaculate condition by most accounts. He might have a year of 90 minutes in him. That being said, I don't think he was brought here to play 90 minutes of every game. Bobby Hume and 2nd Flute 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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