Sky Sports pundit Kris Commons has been left raving over Jermain Defoe’s impact on his teammates at Rangers as he applauds the Englishman’s abilities away from scoring goals.
The Premier League icon arrived at Ibrox on a season-and-a-half loan spell from south coast outfit Bournemouth in the January transfer window and has enjoyed a bright start to his time in Scotland under Steven Gerrard.
With Alfredo Morelos out through suspension once again, Defoe has been leading the line for the Gers and Commons highlighted how he is bringing the best out of those around him.
He told Sky Sports‘ coverage of the clash versus Hearts (20/04, 11:36): “What Jermain Defoe brings to this team is his build up and link up play. He’s very, very cute in his movement.
“Steven Gerrard after the Motherwell game said he needs players like Candeias, like Arfield, like Davis, to be in and around him. He likes to link up, he likes one-twos, there’s a big emphasis on those players in and around Jermain Defoe.
“He’s perhaps not got the legs in terms of running in behind but what he does do is great little movement, he recognises little passes and the likes of Arfield will thrive off that.”
Opinion
Not only is Defoe a quality goal scorer, he is an experienced international player who has been operating in the top flight of English football for a number of years. He has played alongside some great individuals and will no doubt have learned plenty from his time at the likes of Tottenham. He has brought that Premier League quality to Ibrox and it is starting to rub off on the likes of Arfield – another player with plenty of top flight experience. in England. The problem for Gerrard is that Morelos is obviously going to want to come back into the side after his ban and the manager cannot really leave a goal scoring talent like that out. The Colombian just does not bring his teammates into the game like Defoe does and so it is a balancing act which needs to be managed wisely. Either way, Defoe can be very happy with how he has started his career in Glasgow and you can be sure those around him are loving playing alongside such an experienced head.