DEFOE IS BACKING HIS BOSS TO TURN IBROX FORTUNES AROUND
JERMAIN DEFOE last night insisted the entire Rangers squad let down manager Steven Gerrard at Tynecastle — and has claimed success in Europe proves that the former Liverpool and England captain is still capable of taking the club forward.
A disconsolate Gerrard gave the impression that he will be taking time to weigh up everything in the aftermath of sinking to the lowest point of his fledgling managerial career with a disastrous 1-0 Scottish Cup loss to Hearts after dropping Alfredo Morelos on disciplinary grounds.
Asked specifically whether that would include his own future, he replied: ‘I just need to think.’
Defoe has known Gerrard since their days playing together at international level and was clear when asked whether he believes the 39-year-old, who has taken Rangers to the last 16 of the Europa League despite seeing the domestic campaign disintegrate, remains the right man for the job.
‘Of course,’ he said. ‘The last 16 in Europe is an unbelievable achievement for this football club.
‘It is just a case of the team being consistent, which is probably the
hardest thing in football, but the top teams do it game after game — being consistent, putting in those top performances.
‘Obviously, there are times like Wednesday night when you look at the team and think: “That’s a top team and a strong squad”.
‘Then, we come here and sort of let ourselves down. We let the manager down, if you like.
‘It is easy when you win and everyone is together and buzzing about. I think it is important we stick together as a group, no matter what happens. That is all you can do at this moment in time.
‘I don’t know what the manager is thinking. I can imagine how he is feeling because this is a football club where you have to perform, win games and win trophies.
‘That sort of pressure is the reality and that’s an opportunity gone to get our first trophy together, so everyone is disappointed.’
Defoe is understood to have been something of a mentor for Morelos since coming into the club and it had looked like he had rectified last term’s disciplinary issues during a sparkling first half of the season.
However, he has since been banned from important matches in the league and in Europe — and was left out of the squad yesterday after returning 24 hours late from a return trip to Colombia to visit his mother.
‘It is a difficult one for me to sit here and talk about Alfredo,’ said Defoe. ‘With something so personal, I just feel it is better to keep it in the dressing room.
‘I am not going to sit here and criticise one of our players because, at the end of the day, he is my friend. I don’t think he would do that to me.’
Defoe, who came off the bench to replace Greg Stewart after 67 minutes, also refused to accept that the absence of Morelos contributed to such a damaging defeat.
‘Alfredo didn’t play (in Braga) on Wednesday night and the performance was one of our best performances — especially away from home,’ he added. ‘It is not one player’s fault.’
Rangers have visited Hearts, rock bottom of the Premiership, three times this season. They drew 1-1 in October and have lost twice since. Defoe admits he is at a complete loss to explain why they can succeed in Europe at the same time as they have fallen apart at home.
‘It’s tough, just like last time we came to Tynecastle,’ he said. ‘You can imagine what the atmosphere is like in there, especially after the result on Wednesday night.
‘Everyone was so high and we came here confident, but that’s a massive disappointment.
‘It’s hard for everyone involved. We feel the same as we did when we lost here last time.
‘I watched the game on telly against Braga and the boys were so solid from back to front, but we didn’t get going today, conceded a goal and then we were chasing it. None of the boys really know what to say because it’s such a tough one to take.
‘We looked at it as a real chance to win a trophy together. And now it’s gone.
‘I can’t put my finger on why this team can play so well in Europe then struggle domestically. We have to analyse it but it’s difficult to put your finger on one thing.
‘We did so well in Europe but then we come here and it’s a completely different performance.
‘I’m not sure you can question mentality because it’s not for the want of trying.’
Reaching last 16 in Europe is unbelievable but we have let him down here