It’s safe to say that, despite having a playing contract, Jermain Defoe is well down the path of transitioning into a coach, a quality that will see him playing a key role in preparing Rangers for a cup semi-final this weekend.
With just eight minutes of competitive action this season, the 39-year old has sent more time in the Sky Sports studios than on the pitch but after Steven Gerrard left for pastures new, he remains the only surviving member of the coaching staff outwith the junior members of the fitness and analysis teams so will be expected to be key in setting up the team for the tie against Hibs.
Speaking to Football Insider, former Ger, Alan Hutton believes that Defoe will be a valued employee as Giovanni van Bronckhorst eventually takes charge, being on hand to aid his transition when there really is no time to settle into the job and implement his own ideas:
“He was absolutely flung in at the deep end.
“But he’s got a wealth of experience in football. Coaching is the path that he wants to take. He wasn’t ever going to get the manager’s job.
“For Van Bronckhorst, Defoe has that experience there already. He’s been at the club and knows what it’s all about. He knows what the previous schedules have been, knows what’s been going on day to day.
“I think that’s something the manager would be happy to lean on and use until Van Bronckhorst gets settled.
“I think Defoe’s in a good position to join the coaching staff and help out the new manager.”
He might not have that much involvement in terms of tactical planning but I’d expect him to be able to relay each member of the squad’s individual strengths and weaknesses and how they have been used before, you would like to think that this will prevent Gio from trying to implement something that has been proven to be unsuccessful in the past.
He might not have a long-term future at the club despite his desire to stay forever, but Defoe has a massive part to play over the next few weeks as the new manager settles into life at Ibrox, we couldn’t have a harder fixture list and every little detail will help to give Van Bronckhorst the best possible chance to get his career as Rangers manager off to a flyer.