OPINION
Steven Gerrard is a clever man.
The Rangers manager will have been fully aware of what he was getting when he made the move to bring veteran striker Jermain Defoe in on loan in January, and by the sounds of it, he should be delighted with the 36-year-old’s influence.
Signing a player like Defoe is never just about his on-field exploits, it’s about the experience he can bring to a dressing room as well.
Admittedly, his form hasn’t been too bad either, and seven goals and seven assist in 16 appearances is a very respectable return, but more than that, the quiet brilliance of Defoe is that he can come into a side in transition, like Rangers, and help them to focus on what they need to do to get on the right track.
He is a model professional, and a real inspiration to younger players too.
Look no further than young Josh McPake’s glowing behind the scenes reveal of Defoe taking extra time help him one-on-one training sessions.
As quoted in the Daily Record, he said: “I have been training with the first team a lot and I have spoken to Jermain a couple of times.
“Sometimes after training he will take me for 10 or 15 minutes and we will do a couple of finishing drills.
“It is good to get around and see the players that you look up to.”
This is what Defoe is about. The veteran campaigner bestowing his wisdom on the young heads in the squad, the good guy doing his best to help whenever and wherever he can.
Gerrard will have known from his time in the English game that when he signed Defoe he was getting so much more than just a lethal centre forward.
It would appear that Defoe is repaying that faith and then some.