Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Defoe: Goals a God-given gift so I don’t fret about it
JERMAIN DEFOE insists his goalscoring ability is a gift from God after signing an 18-month loan deal with Rangers.
The Bournemouth striker will join up with his new team-mates in the Canary Islands today after finally confirming his move last night.
And Defoe opened his heart on the goal-grabbing prowess which sees him ranked as the sixth highest-scorer in English Premier League history.
Defoe said: “My mum said from day one I had a gift from God and I had to go and express myself.
“She still says that and that’s why I never worry about stuff.
“Even if I go through a spell where I’m not scoring or playing as well as I normally do then I always say, at the end of the day, I have a gift. I tell myself nobody can take that away from me.”
Defoe will arrive later today in Tenerife, with Steven Gerrard and his squad flying out from Glasgow this morning for a six-day winter training camp.
And Gerrard admitted he can’t wait to start working with his former teammate.
The Gers boss played alongside Defoe during the 36-year-old frontman’s 57-cap Three Lions career and said: “I’m delighted to be able to welcome Jermain to Rangers.
“He is an exceptionally talented striker and a vastly experienced footballer who has scored goals at every club he has played for.
“He will be a great addition to our dressing-room and we look forward to integrating him into the squad whilst we work in Tenerife over the next week.”
Bournemouth have options to recall Defoe at the end of the season or in January 2020.