OPINION
You couldn’t have two more different strikers at Rangers.
On the one hand the preciousness of youth – the brilliance of Alfredo Morelos and the baggage he brings with him. 29 goals in 45 games is enough to forgive most sins but perhaps not umpteen red cards.
On the other, Jermain Defoe, a battled veteran, former England international and as classy on the pitch as he is off.
He signed for Rangers on an 18-month loan deal in January and has only made four league starts, but still has five goals in 10 games.
After Morelos’ latest red card, and subsequent four-game suspension, Defoe has a chance to make his impact. He started against Hearts in midweek and scored the opening goal. He should get the chance to lead the line again at Motherwell on Sunday. We predicted when he arrived that he could score ten in the second-half of the season and so far he’s bang on track for that.
Bournemouth have the option to recall him in the summer and in the January window, but Defoe is desperate to stay and make his mark at Ibrox.
As quoted in the Scottish Sun, Defoe said, “I want to stay at Rangers. I want a full season to try and achieve something special here.
“Bournemouth can call me back in the summer and again next January, but I am only focused on being here and scoring goals for Rangers. I want to help the team, it’s as simple as that. So far it’s been great — there have been ups and downs, but that’s football.
“I believe next season we can really kick on and achieve something… I thrive on that because in every game you want that fire in your belly. I still have that edge.”
Defoe is class personified and he’s not said anything about not getting a run in the side since his arrival. The difference between him and Morelos couldn’t be bigger.
And, while Defoe’s best years might be behind him, he’s still got what it takes to score the goals Rangers need to mount a serious title challenge next season, with or without Morelos.
This four-game run will give him the chance to prove that he deserve to be the main man for Gerrard next season.