Rangers

Rangers fans react as Jermain Defoe signals intent to stay at Ibrox

Photo of Kyle Archer Kyle Archer | 17:11 11/10/19
Image for Rangers fans react as Jermain Defoe signals intent to stay at Ibrox

With AFC Bournemouth striker Jermain Defoe signalling his intent to remain at Ibrox beyond his 18-month loan spell, many Rangers supporters have been reacting on social media by sharing their praise for the forward, and suggesting what the future may hold for him and the Scottish club.

Defoe moved to Ibrox in January on an initial 18-month month loan deal (BBC) after making just eight appearances for Bournemouth last season, and not scoring a goal for the Cherries in any competition since March 2018.

But the London-born hitman has thrived in Scotland, with Defoe firing 20 times in 34 games (TransferMarkt), including nine in seven Premiership appearances this term after penning a hat-trick against Hamilton in his last outing before the international break (WhoScored).

No player has struck the back of the net more often than Defoe has in the Scottish top-flight this term, with the 57-cap former England international’s efforts accounting for 35% of the Gers’ total 28 thus far, as the Ibrox natives sit atop the league standings after Celtic were beaten by Livingston.

Defoe has now admitted that he would like to continue on at Ibrox after his loan stint reaches its end, with the striker set to become a free agent next summer with his Bournemouth contract expiring in June.

“I speak to the manager [Steven Gerrard] all the time,” Defoe told Sky Sports. “He’s just basically said to me ‘I’m delighted with how you’re playing, but not just that, with how you are around the place with the younger lads’.

“Hopefully we can be successful together this season and next season. Hopefully, at some point, something will happen. I want to stay.”

Rangers fans now hope to see their club ‘get it done’ and pen Defoe to a contract beyond the end of the season, with many sharing that the veteran striker is the ‘epitome of what a Ranger should be’.

Here are some of the messages shared:

Defoe commenting on his hopes of ending Rangers’ wait for a premier trophy have sparked some reactions from Gers supporters, as well, with a few adding that they are confident in the striker and boss Gerrard being the men to help bring a Premiership crown back to Ibrox.

Rangers last lifted the Scottish top-flight title in 2011, with bitter rivals Celtic taking the honour in each season since whilst the Gers worked their back up from the Third Division after being re-formed following liquidation (BBC).

The Gers also last lifted the Scottish Cup in 2009 and League Cup in 2011, while adding a maiden Challenge Cup to their honours list in 2016.

As well as hoping to see Defoe pen a long-term contract and bring trophies to Ibrox, few Rangers supporters added their hopes of what the future may have in store for the striker once he decides to one day hang up his boots.

One Rangers fan suggested that he would like to see Defoe take up a coaching role at Ibrox and help to develop the young players looking to build their careers, and potentially create the next prolific striker to wear the coveted light blues number nine jersey.

Share this article

Kyle Archer
‹ Previous
Next ›