Much has been made of Alfredo Morelo’s scintillating form for Rangers this season but behind every good striker there is a good back-up, or something like that and Jermain Defoe is proving to be just that and more.
Speaking to Football Insider, former Tottenham Hotspur and England colleague, Paul Robinson said of Defoe as a person and as an influence on those around him:
“He’s been brilliant for everybody, I played with him it’s Spurs, he’s an outstanding footballer; natural, outstanding ability as an athlete and as a footballer and his goalscoring instincts, he’s proved that wherever he’s gone”.
“He’s great to have around the dressing room as well, he’s great every single day, you don’t get a minute with him. He’s constantly bouncing around with his energy and is brilliant in the dressing room. If there was ever a lull or anything, he is one of these people who never gets down and it’s great”.
“If he didn’t play for three games his personality wouldn’t change and he’d come on the next game and score three goals”.
There is no questioning Defoe’s form since he has been at Rangers, he is currently top goalscorer in the Scottish Premiership and is scoring at a rate of almost one every 45 minutes, despite playing half the minutes of his nearest challengers.
What many feel has been Defoe’s biggest impact is on Morelos, the (safe to say) fiery Colombian has had just one yellow card in domestic football so far this season compared to 1 red and 6 yellows at the same point last term.
Morelos doesn’t see Defoe as a threat to his starting place, but as a mentor, you only need to look at how many times he has run towards him after scoring, not the sort of thing you would do if there was friction.
Steven Gerrard has said he wants the former England international to extend his stay such has been his influence on and off the park and thankfully, for Rangers fans, the feeling is mutual with Defoe looking to continue playing at Ibrox beyond this season.
Robinson is the latest in a long line of former colleagues to sing Defoe’s praises and it is the Light Blues that are reaping the benefits from the diminutive hitman’s larger than life personality, only those of a green and white persuasion would bet against him being there long enough to see him lift the silverware that his hard work and personality deserve.