Spurs fan Guthrie hopes the
Jon Guthrie grew up wearing Jermain Defoe’s name on his back
Today he wants to go one better – by sticking the Rangers hitman in his back pocket.
Livingston defender Guthrie was a teenage Tottenham Hotspur fan during Defoe’s goal-laden first spell at White Hart Lane.
The Englishman admits facing his childhood hero at Ibrox earlier this season was “surreal”.
But the summer Livi capture is relishing the prospect of going toe-to-toe with him again today – and hopefully bagging a real Defoe shirt as a keepsake.
“Playing Rangers at Ibrox was the best atmosphere I’ve played in – comfortably,” said Guthrie.
“I played in big games down in England, but they don’t compare to that.
“They’re the reason players come up here from England – and having the chance to play against players like Jermain Defoe.
“I was a Tottenham fan growing up, so I was a big fan anyway. But playing against the likes of him, testing yourself against the best, that’s why I came here.
“It was surreal. You’re trying to focus on the game, but when he came on you’re thinking: ‘ Wow, this is amazing’.
“I grew up watching him and supporting him. I actually had his name on the back of one of my tops when I was a boy. But I didn’t get a shirt off him after the game at Ibrox – I bottled it, to be fair.
“Hopefully, in the next few games, I’ll see what I can do!”
First, Guthrie must see what he can do against Rangers’ front line on the pitch. It’s a task he knows will require all he’s got.